MLS
Will Wayne Rooney select Lionel Messi for the MLS All-Star Game?
The DC United boss could ask the Argentinian World Cup winner to feature against Arsenal, heightening the anticipation for his Inter Miami debut.
There’s little over a month to go until the hotly anticipated MLS All-Star Game against Premier League side Arsenal on 19 July.
The MLS representative team will be led by DC United head coach Wayne Rooney. The squad for the game will include 12 players chosen by Rooney himself, and there could be a space for a certain Argentinian playmaker in the MLS side.
A date for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut has not yet been announced, but some are suggesting that he could feature in the Leagues Cup fixture against Cruz Azul on 21 July. After Messi’s exhausting European campaign, one in which he guided Argentina to a World Cup triumph, the 35-year-old will need some time to recuperate before returning to action.
Messi’s arrival in the States will be a marketing boon for MLS and even a brief appearance from Messi in the All-Star Game could be a real boost as the league looks to increase global viewership. Rooney has not yet indicated whether he would consider drafting in Messi for the one-off game against Arsenal, but he has made no secret of his admiration for the diminutive genius.
What has Wayne Rooney said about Lionel Messi?
Whether or not Rooney decides to include Messi in his All-Star squad the DC United boss is enthusiastic about the imminent arrival.
“He’s the best, simple as that,” Rooney told reporters last week, when asked why he thought Messi would be different to previous incoming stars. “In my view, he’s the best player to ever play the game, so that’s how he’s different. Obviously, the fan base around him will be huge and commercially for the league I’m sure it will be huge as well. It’s massive for MLS.”
Messi is not the first global star to make the move to MLS, but capturing the Argentine while still among the world’s greatest players makes this a real coup.
“I think over the years, we’ve all seen the impact of David Beckham coming in, Zlatan [Ibrahimović] coming in – different players obviously from overseas,” Rooney continued.
“To get Messi in the league, arguably the greatest player of all-time and still – yeah he’s a little bit older – but recently won the World Cup almost singlehandedly. I think it’s great for the league and it’s going to have a huge impact, I’m sure for Miami, for MLS.”
“I know MLS has always brought players in, but I think it will do that again,” said Rooney, who twice played against Lionel Messi in Champions League finals while at Manchester United.
“It shows MLS can compete with them leagues who are trying to grow in the world of football, which is a positive because I think it shows it’s a league where players want to come, players want to play. It’s another huge step.”
However Rooney made clear that MLS will still present a challenge for the World Cup winner. Messi has played in Europe for the entirety of his club career and Rooney believes that it may take some time for him to adapt to the different structures and new style of play in MLS.
“I think the one thing I will say: It’s not going to be easy for him,” said Rooney, who made the move to MLS at the age of 32. “The league’s a difficult league and I don’t think he’s coming to come over and just absolutely tear it up immediately. I think he’s going to have to adapt to it because this league is a little bit different. It won’t be an easy ride for him, that’s for sure.”