Former Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini has heaped praise on Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, after the pair faced each other in a MLS clash yesterday.
Inter Miami beat Chiellini’s LAFC 3-1, but whilst Messi did not score, he did provide two assists as Facundo Farias, Leonardo Campana and Jordi Alba all scored to make it 11 matches unbeaten since his arrival.
Speaking after the game, Chiellini, who had previously faced Messi in the Champions League, claimed that Messi is up there with sporting icons such as Lebron James, reiterating his status as the greatest player ever.
“He [Messi] was and he is so really different from other players,” Chiellini stated.
“It’s like LeBron [James] or [Michael] Jordan. They are different from the other ones.
“He’s an extraterrestrial. He’s not like a normal guy.”
Messi proves crucial again
Although he has now gone two games without a goal, having scored in all of his prior appearances, Messi has still been phenomenal for Inter Miami, and his two assists against LAFC further highlighted his class.
He rolled back the years with a perfect through ball to Alba to make it 2-0 in the first half, with the left-back finishing well after Messi spotted his run, and Messi selflessly laid it off to Campana for Miami’s third after the attackers found themselves open in front of goal.
This further highlights that even beyond his goals, he has helped Inter Miami’s players improve their own game, and providing assists for the likes of Campana can only help their individual progress.
Miami’s form has skyrocketed under Tata Martino and alongside Messi, but whilst they are still second from bottom in the Eastern Conference, if this form can continue then the team will rapidly progress up the table.