MLS legend Sacha Kljestan has shared how Lionel Messi is treating his new opponents this season with Inter Miami.
The Argentine international has enjoyed a great year so far with the Herons when fully fit and capable of playing, with Messi hitting an impressive nine goals and five assists in all competitions for MLS-topping Inter Miami.
Whilst the reigning Ballon d’Or holder wasn’t able to lead the Florida franchise to CONCACAF Champions Cup glory, Messi is still causing waves for all the right reason in MLS, with the attacker this weekend scoring a brace for Inter Miami against Nashville SC.
And league legend Kljestan has now noted how Messi is treating opponents in the division.
Messi has now become a ‘nightmare’ for MLS defenders at Inter Miami
Writing for MLS’s official website, Kljestan detailed how Messi has now become a ‘nightmare’ for opposing players with the Inter Miami captain now fully fit and back to his best after suffering earlier in the season with a hamstring problem.
Elimination from the Champions Cup has greatly reduced Messi’s workload in terms of minutes on the pitch as well as traveling, all now culminating into the Argentine being well-rested for every MLS fixture on the weekend.
And for opposing MLS players, this means they now get to face Messi at his absolute best, a prospect that rivals are now discovering is something that will lead Inter Miami to potential silverware given how good the forward is.
Kljestan wrote: “Lionel Messi was the star of the show (again) after his two-goal, one assist performance. It’s pretty fun to watch this GOAT play, especially when he’s had a whole week to prepare. A healthy and rested Messi = a nightmare for the opposition.”
Messi could break numerous goalscoring records this season
We might only be nine games in of the new MLS season, but there’s already a feeling in the air that Messi could break numerous league records if he can stay fit for the remainder of the year.
The attacker has been in electric form since returning from injury, and with Messi getting the proper time to rest and recover, there’s really no telling how much damage the Argentine international could cause between now and the end of the season.
Even with the Copa America and potentially the Olympics, Messi could break the single-season scoring record if he can stay fit and on top of his game, with MLS defenders clearly terrified already with the Argentine.