USMNT legend Brad Friedel has applauded the impact Lionel Messi has made on Inter Miami in relation to the club’s pre-season plans.
The MLS franchise are currently underway on a worldwide pre-season tour that will take Inter Miami to Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, having already been to El Salvador.
And a massive reason behind this incredible trip has been down to Messi’s incredible global reputation, with Friedel pointing out that the Argentine has had a huge effect on raising Inter Miami’s profile.
Friedel said to LiveScore when asked how Messi has impacted Inter Miami’s pre-season plans: “The second Messi signed, his face was everywhere, pink Inter Miami shirts were everywhere and on billboards.
“The impact has been enormous. The impact for Apple TV has been enormous, the impact in all the stadiums he travels to has been enormous. Just look at the pre-season tour.
“They’re getting invited to go play in El Salvador, then they’re going to Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia. MLS teams don’t usually get invited to games like that. The impact is enormous, probably bigger than anyone could have imagined.”
Inter Miami’s pre-season could not be possible without Lionel Messi
Inter Miami knew the second Messi signed last year that pre-season tours like this were always in the pipeline, such is the 36-year-old’s popularity in the world of sport.
Yet the Herons have grasped the opportunity with both hands, with Inter Miami’s recent friendly against Al-Hilal showing that Tata Martino’s side have what it takes to compete with top clubs.
Indeed, whilst a real question can be raised over how tiring such a tour can be ahead of the 2024 MLS season, Inter Miami seem to have got all the timings and locations spot on.
Moreover, games against top opposition will prepare Inter Miami perfectly for the new year, whereas most rival clubs will hold inter-division friendlies.