Lionel Messi is already having an impact on the USMNT

Lionel Messi’s impact in the United States has already made its way to the National Team. It’s not only MLS’ commercial department that are seeing the benefits of the World Cup winner, but now the positivity at Inter Miami has filtered through to the USMNT and other national sides.

Gregg Berhalter has succumbed to the ‘Messi Effect’ and has put his faith in two emerging stars from Inter Miami, who continue to roll on with their amazing run of unstoppable form in every competition.

Drake Callender is one of the players who has been selected for the squad. The player was, admittedly, already on the USA radar and had been called up before, but the focus is once again back on him given the amount of positive performances since Messi’s arrival on US soil.

Another figure in focus is Benjamín Cremaschi, who has, out of nowhere, won himself a place on the plane to face Uzbekistan and Oman in the upcoming games for the USMNT.

Will Callender and Cremaschi play for the USMNT?

Although Callender had been called up prior to Messi landing in Miami, his recent performances have caused people to look at him in a new light. He was excellent during the penalties in the Leagues Cup final against Gary Smith’s Nashville - who Inter Miami also have to face in MLS - and he shone in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup against Cincinnati. He now has a new opportunity to show his talent for the USA and will fight with Matt Turner for a starting spot in the side.

As for Cremaschi, he has been one player who has benefitted hugely since Messi’s first game in a pink shirt, becoming a real on-field partner for the Argentine and even set up the assist for Messi’s MLS debut goal against NYRB, taking his tally up to 1 goal and 3 assists in the last 9 games with Inter Miami. We have no team news as of yet, but Cremaschi may be in line to feature in Berhalter’s side.