Lionel Messi trains as David Beckham watches ahead of the League Cup quarter-final against MLS rivals Charlotte FC
Lionel Messi looked cool and relaxed in training just a day before Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup quarter-finals against MLS rivals Charlotte FC, as co-owner David Beckham looked on.
The 36-year-old was tested again with his teammates at the Florida Blue Training Center on Thursday, even laughing at times while chatting with relatively new left back Jordi Alba and striker Josef Martinez.
Messi has been impressive since moving to America last month, scoring seven goals and assisting once in three starts for the Herons, although all of his contributions have come in the Leagues Cup alone.
And now, as a result, the 2022 World Cup champion will have to wait a bit longer to finally make his MLS debut, following Miami’s unexpected deep run in the US domestic cup that only includes Liga MX and MLS teams.
Messi was due to make his first league appearance on August 20, ironically against Charlotte, at the DRV PNK Stadium, but the game has now been postponed. A new date for the match has not yet been announced.
Lionel Messi trains during Miami’s practice session at the Florida Blue Training Center on Thursday
Herons co-owner David Beckham watches Messi and his teammates from the sidelines
Messi, left, was put to the test along with old club team-mate Jordi Alba, right
Messi, right, smiled as he stood next to striker Jose Martinez and Alba, left
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Messi’s first MLS match is now expected to be on August 26, against the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.
Earlier this week, Messi divided fans around the world after footage showed the Argentine swinging the corner of the ball with the referee’s back before scoring a free-kick against FC Dallas to level Inter Miami in a penalty shoot-out win in the Leagues Cup’s round of 16 after both sides drew 4–4 by the end of regulation.
What’s more is that two days after his team’s final victory on August 6, the Argentine was spotted visiting a friend in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, also his childhood sweetheart, Antonela, as they both took a break from house hunting at Magic City.
Messi was also praised by the Argentina FA for his blistering start to America this week, with the country’s football federation hailing its all-time top scorer with 103 goals with an emotional video, which read: “They say in the United States you can see aliens.’
Messi has scored seven goals in three starts for Inter Miami since joining the club in July
Messi’s MLS debut was delayed until later this month following Miami’s deep run in the Leagues Cup
Messi, 36, took a water break during Thursday’s practice as he is still adjusting to the heat in Florida
THUMBS UP, IF YOU LOVE LIFE: Messi seemed to be in a good mood during training, Thursday
Inter Miami are undefeated since Messi joined the club last month, going 4-0 after nine straight MLS games without a win before the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner announced he would be leaving Europe this summer.
Messi signed with Miami in July after two years with Paris Saint-Germain.
In a career spanning over 17 years at FC Barcelona, Messi has scored more than 700 career goals.
He agreed to a two-and-a-half-season contract with Inter Miami, worth between $50 million and $60 million a year.
The deal is valued at between $125 million and $150 million in cash alone.