Lionel Messi was named in Inter Miami’s starting XI to face Newell’s Old Boys in the Florida side’s final pre-season match.
It’s been an unusual few weeks for the MLS franchise with controversy both on and off the pitch dominating headlines, namely centering around Messi and his fitness.
The Argentine international didn’t feature at all for Inter Miami in a friendly in Hong Kong, causing an international incident that is still raging on to this day.
Yet it was a different story last night as Messi was named in Inter Miami’s starting XI to take on his former club Newell’s Old Boys, with the 36-year-old playing an hour of football.
Despite not scoring or assisting, Messi did enough to blow away the minds of the national media covering the game, with Taylor Twellman lauding the attacker as ‘unstoppable’ via Apple TV.
Spanish publication AS were also impressed with what the say, with Messi’s ‘brilliant’ footwork catching the eye of pundits last night.
Finally, the local Miami Herald were on hand to lavish Messi with praise, namely on the attacker’s passing against Newell’s Old Boys as well as his almost telepathic connection with Luis Suarez, who also started the match.
Lionel Messi looked fitter than ever for Inter Miami vs Newell’s Old Boys
Messi and Inter Miami will kick-off the 2024 MLS season next week against Real Salt Lake, with the Herons looking good last night against Newell’s Old Boys despite missing key players.
Yet as for the Argentine, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder looked fresher than ever having now experienced a full pre-season and playing regular minutes for Inter Miami this winter.
Whilst Messi still clearly has some rust to shake off, the attacker has never looked fitter for Inter Miami, with the forward set to hit that sweet spot going into next week’s MLS clash.
And for the Herons, there will now be hope that Messi could play the full 90 with the attacker going quite far in last night’s match against Newell’s Old Boys.