While Inter Miami haven’t played a Major League Soccer game since signing Lionel Messi, that hasn’t stopped the superstar from putting the league on notice. In the process of winning two Leagues Cup matches, Messi scored three goals and assisted one more so teams must already be asking themselves the age old question — how can we stop Messi from scoring and assisting at will? But it’s not as simple as just stopping Messi. The league’s most iconic signing has brought along Sergio Busquets as well, who can help set up teammates. Their former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba is on the way as well, and new manager Tata Martino has other talented young players at his disposal too.
Messi got his first start in the Pink and Black against Atlanta United a team which is far from a strong MLS defense and while Messi carved them apart, the Five Stripes were able to show some of the pitfalls that other teams can hope to avoid. And while the Argentine legend has dominated every league that he has faced, now that he’s arrived in America, it’s a good time to paint a picture of what makes him so dangerous and how Orlando City SC can try to contain Messi in the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup on Wednesday, and what the rest of MLS can look to do after that.
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