Wayne Rooney hails Lionel Messi arrival: “Arguably the best player to ever play the game”

Lionel Messi is expected to land in Florida this week to finalise his move to MLS side Inter Miami.

News of the prospective agreement was first announced a month ago but, such are the financial complexities of Messi’s deal, the contract has not yet been made official.

Messi will sign his Inter Miami contract in the coming days and looks set to make his debut for the side on 19 July, in the Leagues Cup fixture against Cruz Azul.

Few in MLS will have had the chance to play against Messi during his stellar career, but DC United boss Wayne Rooney has faced Messi on multiple occasions. Most notably, Rooney’s Manchester United were twice beaten in the Champions League final by a Messi-inspired Barcelona.

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Speaking ahead of the MLS All-Star Game next week, MLS team manager Rooney gave his thoughts on MLS’s new star.

“It is a great move, obviously, for the MLS,” Rooney told Sky Sports ahead of Messi’s imminent arrival.

“Commercially, it will be huge. It will draw more interest in the game from different regions of the world – I am sure it will do that as well, because you are getting arguably the best player to ever play the game,” he added.

Messi’s credentials are beyond question and his talents, even at 36 years of age, are beyond anything seen in MLS history. But he joins a new, particularly physical league with a team who are rock bottom of their conference.

Inter Miami are in 15th place in the Eastern Conference and have picked up just three wins from their 21 games this year. But despite that poor record, Rooney believes that Messi’s arrival could be a catalyst for real improvement in the team.

“I am sure he will come here, and want to be competitive, and want to try and help Miami to climb up the table,” he said.

“I think not just fans, but coaches, players – everyone is excited to have him in the league.”