The 🐐 is officially here.

Welcome to MLS, Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/Mt88hk0Cjg

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2023

After a legendary spell with Barcelona, veteran Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets joins @InterMiamiCF. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/Z0yJ5o3eWc

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 16, 2023

Thiago Messi nutmegs his father at Inter Miami Unveiling. To us he's the GOAT, but to his kids he's just another mark. 🙂🦵⚽️ [Via @esolms]pic.twitter.com/SDSDliQdiu

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 17, 2023

Doesn't count. Wasn't clean.

I don't care if they still your data, this **** is funny aF.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8R4cS4T/

Messi, Busquets, Alba, and potentially Suarez. Miami's Barca's retirement home. So sad.

Iniesta too?

Is Messi's current level similar to that of the 38-year old version of Michael Jordan (nice player, but not anywhere near the top 25 or so guys)? Or better? Or worse?

🐐 pic.twitter.com/I4THWodBnl

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) July 22, 2023

Seven Costanza said:

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Is Messi's current level similar to that of the 38-year old version of Michael Jordan (nice player, but not anywhere near the top 25 or so guys)? Or better? Or worse?

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Better, Argentina just won the world cup and he won the equivalent of the MVP trophy.

PatAg said:

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Seven Costanza said:

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Is Messi's current level similar to that of the 38-year old version of Michael Jordan (nice player, but not anywhere near the top 25 or so guys)? Or better? Or worse?

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Better, Argentina just won the world cup and he won the equivalent of the MVP trophy.

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So 34-year old Jordan?

Another angle

This angle of the Lionel Messi game-winning goal >>>

(via @TitoBenach) pic.twitter.com/ctTIDRLtlw

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) July 22, 2023

Messi got a high five from the referee when he subbed on lol.

He's going to do what he wants to do with the talent of the MLS.

Dude had no chance pic.twitter.com/reZz28v6Wd

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) July 22, 2023

Not a GK on the planet stopping that one

PatAg said:

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Seven Costanza said:

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Is Messi's current level similar to that of the 38-year old version of Michael Jordan (nice player, but not anywhere near the top 25 or so guys)? Or better? Or worse?

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Better, Argentina just won the world cup and he won the equivalent of the MVP trophy.

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Just think back a few years when Robbie Keane came over....he was totally washed up in the EPL and won the MVP running away. David Villa, same thing.

Zlatan didnt win MVP but was clearly the best player on the field at all times.

Messi (and his Barca posse that are coming with him) are going to run roughshod over the league. To the point that very quickly I think they will become hated for being allowed to assemble that kind of talent. Maybe not from the casual sports fan who don't care about the competitor and are just there for the circus but from actual fans of MLS teams.

Let's not forget they already had Yedlin and Martinez on the roster.

Yedlin and Martinez looked like they were having a blast playing with those guys.

Messi has 2 goals tonight in 22'. That's 3 goals in under 60'.

Messi is forever

Messi is still better than any player I've seen play

Add an assist.

And Atlanta has been making random MLS players look like Messi all season.

jeffk said:

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And Atlanta has been making random MLS players look like Messi all season.

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And yet they're still 7th.

Crazy to think this is only the 5th game Miami has won.

Tells you how bad Neville was as manager

Having Messi on your team frees up everybody else. Makes possession and stuff a lot easier. Miami was looking bad before Messi and Busi were subbed in on Friday and weren't looking that great after they were subbed off yesterday.

aTmAg said:

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Having Messi on your team frees up everybody else. Makes possession and stuff a lot easier. Miami was looking bad before Messi and Busi were subbed in on Friday and weren't looking that great after they were subbed off yesterday.

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Shocking to think world class players, even elderly, make a difference.

Rudyjax said:

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aTmAg said:

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Having Messi on your team frees up everybody else. Makes possession and stuff a lot easier. Miami was looking bad before Messi and Busi were subbed in on Friday and weren't looking that great after they were subbed off yesterday.

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Shocking to think world class players, even elderly, make a difference.

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Frankly, I'm surprised that 2 guys can make THAT big of a difference. I know that Messi is the GOAT, but the entire Miami team dominated yesterday (while they were in).

I think it was Taylor who said in an interview after Friday's game how their jobs were so much easier when Messi got on the field. That they were more open and had more time to do stuff, because Cruz was double and triple teaming Messi. I guess he wasn't just doing player-speak.

I think it serves to illustrate a couple of things. First, the greatness of Messi. Truly great players lift everyone on their team and we are seeing this in real time with Miami. Second, the disparity between MLS and the top 3 or 4 leagues in the world. I know most knowledgeable soccer fans already get that but with the increased exposure to the sport/MLS with Messi's arrival, it will become more apparent to soccer fans in general but especially to the more casual fans.

aTmAg said:

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Rudyjax said:

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aTmAg said:

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Having Messi on your team frees up everybody else. Makes possession and stuff a lot easier. Miami was looking bad before Messi and Busi were subbed in on Friday and weren't looking that great after they were subbed off yesterday.

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Shocking to think world class players, even elderly, make a difference.

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Frankly, I'm surprised that 2 guys can make THAT big of a difference. I know that Messi is the GOAT, but the entire Miami team dominated yesterday (while they were in).

I think it was Taylor who said in an interview after Friday's game how their jobs were so much easier when Messi got on the field. That they were more open and had more time to do stuff, because Cruz was double and triple teaming Messi. I guess he wasn't just doing player-speak.

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Good point. And add to that, he is the GOAT and he will make every else play above their heads.