Toronto FC manager John Herdman has named Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the best player to ever play in MLS.
The Argentine international is gearing up for his first full season in Florida having signed for the Herons in the summer in a blockbuster deal for MLS and soccer in the United States.
Leading Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup, Tata Martino’s side are heavy favourites to win MLS Cup this year, with Luis Suarez joining the fold this month.
And speaking to the press via Toronto Reds, Herdman has claimed that Messi is already the best player to ever play in MLS despite being in the division for half a year.
Indeed, the 36-year-old became the first active MLS player to win the Ballon d’Or late last year, and Herdman now thinks that Messi is the best player to ever grace the league.
The Toronto manager said: “Everyone is eyeing the Miami fixtures on the calendar. It’s a fascinating time for the MLS. The best player, in my opinion, ever to grace this league [Lionel Messi], makes a genuine statement of intent. It’s the place to be.”
Lionel Messi can become an MLS legend with Inter Miami
Messi is comfortably the best individual player to play in MLS, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner arguably the greatest to ever play the sport of soccer.
Yet there’s a difference between being the best and being a legend, and Messi will want to accomplish this with Inter Miami this season.
Having already brought silverware to Fort Lauderdale last year, Messi and company will want to go one step further in MLS Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League.