Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi brings “something essential” to MLS

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has emphasised the scale of Lionel Messi’s impact in MLS, describing his presence in the United States as “incredible.”

Messi made his first MLS appearance for Inter Miami on Saturday, coming off the bench to score in a victory over New York Red Bulls. Speaking to the Argentina Football Association media, Scaloni said that Messi looks rejuvenated in his new surroundings.

“Messi is fine, I see him happy, I see him joyful, and that’s a good thing,” Scaloni explained.

“In the end, what he needs is to be well, to be in a comfortable place, for him and his family to feel happy, and with his team-mates as well. So that’s what is noticeable, happy and enjoying football, which in the end is where he feels happy, inside a pitch.”

Messi certainly seems to be enjoying himself with Inter Miami. He has now scored 11 goals in nine matches and lifted the Leagues Cup, the team’s first ever trophy.

Messi brings “something essential” to US soccer

Scaloni pointed out that Messi’s impact will not only be felt on the pitch. Every Miami game since his arrival has been a sell-out and ticket prices have soared. Inter Miami commercial director Xavier Asensi believes that the team’s revenue could exceed $200 million this year, the largest figure ever recorded by an MLS team.

“His presence is already incredible and both his team-mates and opponents generate something special,” Scaloni said.

“In addition to the game, he will bring to the league and to the whole country something essential, which is that everyone wants to watch him. His presence is already too much,” he added.

Inter Miami take on Nashville in their next MLS fixture on Wednesday, 30 September. The Boys in Gold will be looking to avenge their defeat in the Leagues Cup final.

Will Messi play at the next World Cup?

Lionel Scaloni took over as Argentina head coach on an interim basis after the team’s failure at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Five years on, Scaloni has overseen the team’s most successful period in decades and has lifted both the Copa America and the World Cup.

He has finally got the best out of Messi in an Argentina shirt and has said that he wants the team’s captain to remain involved for years to come. Speaking in January, Scaloni claimed that Messi can still have a part to play for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

“I think that Messi will be there [in 2026]. It is all up to him, what he wants and if he feels fit,” Scaloni told Spanish radio station Deporte Radio Calvia.

“The doors will always be open for him. He is happy inside the field and for us [Argentina] it will be great to have him,” he added.

Argentina return to action on Thursday, 7 September when they take on Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers.