Lionel Messi’s new team Inter Miami are thrashed by New England Revolution

Inter Miami fans will be begging for the early arrival of Lionel Messi after they were thrashed 3-1 by New England Revolution on Saturday night.

In the team’s first league game since announcing Messi’s impending transfer, Miami was – again – abysmal, and the result leaves them at the bottom of the MLS’ Eastern Conference.

Former Aston Villa star Carles Gil gave the home side the lead in the first half, before Matt Polster and Bobby Wood added the shine of the second half to help New England to victory over their struggling opponents.

Josef Martinez managed to pull a goal back for the away side with a late penalty, but it didn’t change the final result.

And that result was a sixth league defeat in a row for Inter Miami, who are now three points behind their closest rivals in the East.

It was Messi fever even though Inter Miami were not home on Saturday night, with children pictured playing football in Argentina and Barcelona shirts in the parking lot.

Miami has now lost six games in a row in the MLS and is desperately looking forward to the arrival of Lionel Messi

Messi is currently in China with his Argentine teammates – far away from his new club

News of his arrival was confirmed on Wednesday, as the Paris Saint-Germain star turned down a romantic return to Barcelona, ​​and Saudi Arabia’s mega-millionaires, for a move to South Florida.

In the days following the move, Inter Miami became the most-watched sports team in American sports, ahead of every NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB team – as well as all of their MLS football rivals.

On the pitch, however, the team needs Messi’s arrival to have a similar impact, with the team struggling to pick up points.

Former boss Phil Neville was sacked last month and his permanent successor has yet to be announced by team owner David Beckham.

Unfortunately for Inter Miami fans, Messi is still under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until the end of June, and the Argentina World Cup winner is not expected to make his MLS debut until the middle of July – and probably not until August.

Messi fever had reached the MLS – even in Foxborough, Massachusetts – as fans wore Barcelona shirts

Another young fan is seen wearing a Messi Argentina shirt for a football match in the parking lot

Messi confirmed his move to MLS in an interview with Mundo Deportivoin which he said: ‘I’m not going back to Barça, I’m going to Inter Miami.’

Mail Sport understands that Messi, who won four Champions League titles with the Blaugrana and scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for the club, will be offered a lucrative contract with the MLS club, which may include new deals with adidas and Apple.

ESPN also reports that its deal with the US side is a option that would allow him to become a co-owner of the football club and a portion of Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass subscriber revenue.

After 21 years with Spanish club Barcelona – where he won 32 major titles – Messi moved to PSG in 21 on a big deal that would see him earn $44 million a year.

The 35-year-old was “emotionally destroyed” by his departure from the LaLiga club after it emerged the club could no longer pay his wages amid financial turmoil, which despite winning LaLiga this season is still far from happening. dissolved.

Messi won the World Cup with Argentina and added another piece of silver to his career

On the news, MLS also made a statement, speaking of their joy at the arrival of Messi

Messi (left) will soon join the MLS squad owned by David Beckham (center)

In response to the news, Barcelona has released a statement in which President Laporta wished Messi well at his new club.

It reads: “On Monday 5 June, Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, informed club president Joan Laporta of the player’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite a proposal from Barça, given the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to wear blaugrana again.

President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to compete in a league with fewer demands, away from the spotlight and the pressures he has been subjected to in recent years.

“Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a fitting tribute from Barca fans in honor of a footballer who is, has been and always will be at Barca.”