Why does Messi constantly shine in the US?
Messi's fever in the US shows no sign of ending after the Argentine captain scored a super from 33 meters, helping Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union 4-1 in the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup. In the first six games at the new club, Messi has never been silent: scoring nine goals, assisting one.
The question is how can a newly arrived player settle in so quickly? Is Messi's level still outstanding to play at the top when he is 36 years old, or are defenders in North America too weak to stop the former Barca and PSG striker?
However, the format and professional issues such as referees, VAR or the organization of the Leagues Cup are often criticized. For example, the organizers of this tournament stipulate that the two teams will take a penalty kick immediately, if there is a tie within 90 minutes in the group stage. The winning team gets an extra point.
In the 1/8 round, Mexico's strong club - Club America - was eliminated by Messi's opponent in the final - Nashville SC. However, controversy broke out in the penalty shootout, when Club America thought it had won 5-4. But after they celebrated, VAR intervened, determining goalkeeper Luis Malagon had stepped up before saving the decisive penalty. The penalty shootout was then resumed, and Nashville SC won on aggregate.
In another match in the round of 16, CF Monterrey defeated Liga MX rivals Tigres UNAL thanks to a controversial penalty in the 90th minute. After the match, the Leagues Cup organizers announced the semi-final match between Monterrey and Los Angeles. Angeles FC was pushed up a day early, on August 12. Monterrey CEO Jose Antonio Noriega has criticized this, saying his team is made difficult to move too far in such a short time.
Events like what happened to Monterey show that the fairness of the Leagues Cup is not guaranteed. In fact, this tournament is less interested and is often held in the summer, when fans are more interested in the US tours of the top European clubs. However, the arrival of Messi changed all that. The influence of the Argentinian superstar can create the impetus for the Leagues Cup to become more professional in the future.
However, since David Beckham came to the US to play in 2007, the MLS approved a series of regulations allowing owners to invest more to upgrade the squad. In it, it is worth noting the regulation on designated players. Accordingly, an MLS club can recruit up to three players whose remuneration is outside the league's limit, meaning they can pay higher salaries and transfer fees for these three players than the ceiling.
Because of salary restrictions, MLS clubs mainly reserve three spots for attacking players, who often have a higher marketing value. According to estimates by Capology, the remuneration of strikers in the MLS is 150% higher than that of defenders, while this figure in the Premier League is 31%.
Despite having won every title in his career, Messi still refused a generous offer from Saudi Arabia to come to the US to conquer a new challenge. After losing to Inter Miami in the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup on August 15, Philadelphia Unidon coach Jim Curtin admitted he was surprised that a player like Messi still maintained the motivation to play. "He still plays like any other player and continues to shine even though he doesn't have to do it to prove his ability," Curtin said.
Of the nine goals Messi has scored for Miami, there are two free kicks that show his individual quality. The goal against Philadelphia was also reminiscent of the 36-year-old striker's peak when he dribbled the ball in front of the opponent's circle and then shot from a distance of 33 meters, leaving goalkeeper Andre Blake out of hand. Blake has won the MLS best goalkeeper award three times in 2016, 2020 and 2022.
On August 19, Messi and his teammates will play the Leagues Cup final at Nashville Stadium. Geodis Park, which has a capacity of 30,000, is expected to be packed. Ticket prices to the field increased rapidly, to a minimum of 484 USD, more than six times higher than the ticket price for the Champions League final last season at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Turkey.
Messi's charm also prompted the organizers of the Copa Libertadores, the premier tournament for South American clubs, to consider inviting Inter Miami to compete in 2024. Previously, no North American club had participated in this tournament.
