Inter Miami target Messi as Beckham's side look to set marker for MLS
Lionel Messi's move to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami would serve as a 'benchmark for football in the United States'. as David Beckham's franchise looks to make high profile signings.
That's the message from Miami commercial director Xavier Asensi, who hinted to Mundo Deportivo that his team would be looking to make a move for Messi.
Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini made their MLS debuts on Sunday for Los Angeles FC in a 2-1 win over Nashville SC.
Five-time Champions League winners Bale and Chiellini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy last year, have joined Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Beckham among the biggest names in MLS.< /p>
With Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, Asensi suggested Miami would try to sign Messi, but admitted the goal may be unrealistic.
>When asked if signing a player like Messi was a target for Beckham's side, Asensi replied: "Yes, with some caveats. You can't compare Leo Messi to any other player; he is different.
“Having said that, what we are looking for is to be the benchmark for football in the United States, and to do that, the important thing is the players and the spectacle that you can offer.
“For that you need the best players, and having them is a real goal at this club. As far as Leo Messi is concerned, there is him and then there are all the others.
"It's up to him and what he wants. We want to have the best players in the world, and I think Messi is the best in history. From there it's up to him ."
Messi, 35, had a meager debut season by his own high standards for PSG, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.
That comeback was 17 short of what he managed for Barcelona in the 2020-21 campaign, his last campaign before ending a 21-year association with the Blaugrana.
Although his goal tally has declined, Messi has scored 14 league goals - only once in his last five seasons at Camp Nou (21 in 2019-20) has he made more assists in one mandate.
After making his intentions and admirations for Messi clear, Asensi focused on the pre-season friendly against Barca on Wednesday.
"Emotionally it's wonderful and professionally it's outstanding," he added. "Barca are, if not the biggest, one of the three biggest clubs in the world, and the clubs are the ones that capitalize on the passion for football.
"I don't know any FIFA or UEFA fans. In international football, everyone supports their country, but clubs have no borders, they go everywhere. And in terms of clubs, Barça are among the greatest, looking at the numbers.
"Emotionally, that's the most important thing for me. To have them here, for the people of Miami, is spectacular."
Lionel Messi's move to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami would serve as a 'benchmark for football in the United States'. as David Beckham's franchise looks to make high profile signings.
That's the message from Miami commercial director Xavier Asensi, who hinted to Mundo Deportivo that his team would be looking to make a move for Messi.
Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini made their MLS debuts on Sunday for Los Angeles FC in a 2-1 win over Nashville SC.
Five-time Champions League winners Bale and Chiellini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy last year, have joined Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Beckham among the biggest names in MLS.< /p>
With Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, Asensi suggested Miami would try to sign Messi, but admitted the goal may be unrealistic.
>When asked if signing a player like Messi was a target for Beckham's side, Asensi replied: "Yes, with some caveats. You can't compare Leo Messi to any other player; he is different.
“Having said that, what we are looking for is to be the benchmark for football in the United States, and to do that, the important thing is the players and the spectacle that you can offer.
“For that you need the best players, and having them is a real goal at this club. As far as Leo Messi is concerned, there is him and then there are all the others.
"It's up to him and what he wants. We want to have the best players in the world, and I think Messi is the best in history. From there it's up to him ."
Messi, 35, had a meager debut season by his own high standards for PSG, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.
That comeback was 17 short of what he managed for Barcelona in the 2020-21 campaign, his last campaign before ending a 21-year association with the Blaugrana.
Although his goal tally has declined, Messi has scored 14 league goals - only once in his last five seasons at Camp Nou (21 in 2019-20) has he made more assists in one mandate.
After making his intentions and admirations for Messi clear, Asensi focused on the pre-season friendly against Barca on Wednesday.
"Emotionally it's wonderful and professionally it's outstanding," he added. "Barca are, if not the biggest, one of the three biggest clubs in the world, and the clubs are the ones that capitalize on the passion for football.
"I don't know any FIFA or UEFA fans. In international football, everyone supports their country, but clubs have no borders, they go everywhere. And in terms of clubs, Barça are among the greatest, looking at the numbers.
"Emotionally, that's the most important thing for me. To have them here, for the people of Miami, is spectacular."
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