MLS player: 'Messi will hardly shine without Busquets'
The presence of Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba is helping Inter Miami transform. In particular, the Argentine superstar shined with 11 goals and eight assists through 11 matches, helping the team win the Leagues Cup, reach the final of the American National Cup and aspire to enter the MLS Play-offs round and compete for the championship in the 2023 season.
Westwood once faced Messi when Charlotte FC lost 0-4 to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarterfinals on August 12. In this match, the Argentinian star scored a goal from close range to set the score in the 86th minute.
According to Westwood, Busquets' presence helps Messi have more ball up front to shine. "Busquets sees things that other people don't see," the English player told Sky Sports on September 14. "If it weren't for Busquets, I think it would be a little more difficult for Messi. But right now, he's benefiting from having Busquets in midfield to receive the ball after every pass."
Busquets once said that, thanks to his long time working side by side at Barca, he and Messi could understand each other through just small gestures on the field. After joining Barca's first team in 2008, the Spanish midfielder played with Messi at Camp Nou until the Argentine star joined PSG on a free basis in the summer of 2021. Together, this star duo won every title for the club. Barca, including three Champions Leagues in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
Westwood played for Aston Villa in the period 2012–2017 and Burnley in the period 2017–2023 before joining Charlotte FC in January 2023. The 33-year-old midfielder praised Messi as the greatest player, even though he faced many famous names during his time in England.
"What Messi brings to MLS is amazing," Westwood added. "I have played against many great players in the Premier League. But Messi, even at 36 years old, is still the greatest player I have ever played against. Playing against Messi is a real honor, but he has defeat us. Hopefully we can complete the mission in the next confrontation."
Inter Miami will close the 2023 season with two matches against Charlotte FC, at home on October 19 and away on October 22, respectively. Inter Miami currently has 28 points, behind ninth place D.C. United - last place with tickets to MLS Play-offs - six points, but is playing two fewer matches.
Messi was absent from the 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City on the morning of September 10 because he joined the Argentina team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America, and will return for the match against Atlanta United on the morning of September 17, Hanoi time. .
