MLS
What has Luciano Acosta said about Lionel Messi?
The two Argentinian Numbers 10s meet again as Inter Miami take on MLS Supporters Shield winners Cincinnati FC.
Lionel Messi is expected to return for Inter Miami in a crucial MLS clash on Saturday evening.
The Argentine has been out of action due to injury for the past four matches but now returns with Miami needing a win to keep their playoff dreams alive. Messi’s first game back is against Cincinnati FC, who recently secured the MLS Supporters’ Shield and boast MVP candidate Luciano Acosta.
Acosta, another lavishly talented diminutive Argentinian, has frequently been compared to Messi. However the 29-year-old forward told ESPN that Messi is unique.
“Messi is a revolution in soccer where wherever he goes, people will talk about where he goes, the teams he’ll face, the Argentine players in that league,” Acosta said.
The Cincinnati captain has first hand experience of the additional attention that Messi has brought to the league. Viewership for MLS matches has soared since Messi’s arrival and Acosta has received more attention from his homeland of Argentina.
He explained: “Obviously, a lot more people are calling me than before, but I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground and stay on the same, correct path.”
Two MVP candidates go head-to-head
The similarities between Acosta and Messi, despite the Cincinnati man’s protestations, are clear. The Argentinian duo were both born in the south-eastern city of Rosario. They are known for their match-winning ability on the pitch and both are the undisputed talisman and the captain for their respective teams.
Recently, both were nominated for the MLS Most Valuable Player award.
In terms of the numbers it is Acosta who has undoubtedly had the more impressive MLS campaign so far. In 30 league appearances Acosta has contributed 16 goals and 10 assists, putting him just one goal shy of Golden Boot front-runner Denis Bouanga.
Messi’s MLS record does not compare to Acosta’s but he has almost single-handedly turned the fortunes of a team that looked destined to finish bottom of the Eastern Conference.
His main impact has been in the Leagues Cup, in which Inter Miami picked up the first trophy in club history. He also helped the team to the final of the US Open Cup. In MLS Messi has scored one and assisted two goals in four games, of which Miami have won three and drawn one. They have looked lost without him in recent weeks and their playoff aspirations are now hanging by a thread.
Tonight Messi and Acosta look set to go head-to-head with Miami’s playoff hopes on the line. It promises to be a fascinating meeting of two of the most exciting players in the league.