Pundit Bradley Wright-Phillips has claimed that Lionel Messi now loves playing for Inter Miami after last night’s scenes against Nashville SC.
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder was again unplayable for the Herons in MLS as Messi scored a brace and registered an assist in what was to be a 3-1 win for Inter Miami, extending their lead at the top of the MLS standings.
Having won praise last week from Peter Vermes and Julian Gressel, it was another memorable Messi performance for Inter Miami in Florida against Nashville, with the attacker taking his overall tally this season to nine goals and five assists in all competitions.
And Wright-Phillips now thinks Messi is loving life at Inter Miami due to one factor.
Messi ‘taking on’ life at Inter Miami after 3-1 Nashville win
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the Apple TV pundit noted how Messi is now playing with a smile on his face again, with the 36-year-old seemingly loving life in Florida with his new team with the attacker now fully fit to play.
Indeed, Messi’s love for playing in MLS and for Inter Miami has been documented beforehand, yet this season alongside the likes of Luis Suarez, the veteran attacker is seeing that enjoyment hit new heights, with the forward thriving in the United States.
Wright-Phillips said when asked why Messi is enjoying life and soccer right now with Inter Miami: “We spoke about that, that smile you’re talking about, it’s great.
“When you see a big player come over here and really take on the league and enjoy it, even getting frustrated in the moments they want more from their teammates, it tells me that Messi has bought in, and we can’t ask for nothing more than that.”
Messi finding his love for soccer again is massive for MLS
Messi easily could have turned up at Inter Miami last summer and given the smallest amount of effort for his new team having already collected the biggest paycheck in league history.
However, the former FC Barcelona superstar has gone one step beyond and then some over his attitude with playing for the Herons, with Messi genuinely sold on the project and the new life the Argentine international has taken on.
And for MLS, Messi taking Inter Miami and the league seriously is nothing short of massive, with the American top-flight getting arguably the biggest mark of respect from any figure in soccer.