Messi 'will need time to adjust' to Miami, says Beckham

New Inter Miami signing Leo Messi "will need time to adapt", Floridian club co-owner David Beckham said on Tuesday, adding that the Argentine star is expected to make his debut on Friday. "Whatever their level, whatever their status, (Leo Messi) and Sergio Busquets will need time to adapt," said the Englishman after seeing the former FC Barcelona and PSG leader. training for the first time in Miami. "They may surprise us, we may win every game, but we have to be patient." Both players arrived in Florida this summer and are expected to be joined by former Barca teammate Jordi Alba, as club president Jorge Mas revealed earlier today.

The biggest star of world football to land in MLS since the Brazilian Pelé's move to the New York Cosmos (1975-1977), Messi, who has signed up until 2025, will wear his new colors on Friday during the match against the Mexicans from Cruz Azul, according to Beckham.

"Leo (Messi) will play part of the game but it will be up to the coach and Leo to judge if he is ready because we know he has been away from the pitch for several weeks, with his family, he said. he recalled. But he looks fine."

A footballing star when he signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, Beckham insisted the North American championship needed time to adapt.

"It's a different style of football, obviously a bit different level than some new players are used to," he said. But at the end of the day, the level in this country is good, it is very good.”

Even if the standards of MLS are much lower than those of the best European championships, where Messi has played his entire club career, several glories of this sport having joined North America at the end of their career have had hard to thrive there.

The very frequent trips from one time zone to another, the fact of playing on artificial turf and with less good teammates are all reasons that can explain these difficulties.