"Playing against him. I think it will be a very nice thing" - Argentina star details Messi influence in decision to join New England Revolution
Argentine winger Luca Langoni has stated that Lionel Messi was one of the major reasons for him joining MLS outfit New England. The right-winger joined New England from Boca Juniors in August 2024 for a reported price of $6.8 million (according to Cesar Luis Merlo).
Despite an injury-plagued season, Lionel Messi has been one of the major difference makers for Inter Miami so far. In 18 games across competitions, Messi has registered 16 goals and 12 assists this season.
However, he missed 10 MLS games in 2024 due to several injury concerns. During the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia (July 14), he injured his right ankle and was sidelined for two months. Additionally, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner suffered from muscular problems in March this year, keeping him out for an extra two months.
Talking about Messi's influence on him, Langoni said (via Infobae):
"The truth is that I was very attracted to him. Playing against him. I think it will be a very nice thing."
Langoni also talked about his tumultuous time at Boca Juniors, explaining how he felt like he needed to make a change in his career.
"I wasn't having a good time at Boca, I wasn't having a good time in football and nothing, I felt it was time to take a step in my career. I thought about it a lot, it was difficult, but I'm here now and I'm happy," Langoni said.
Despite bringing in Langoni, New England haven't tasted much success this season. The side is languishing at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference table with just 28 points from 29 games.
However, Luca Langoni was optimistic about New England's chances of qualifying for the MLS playoffs, saying:
"We always see a chance of qualifying and we are working towards that. We know that the results are not coming our way, but we are working very well this week, very hard, to face these last remaining matches."
When Lionel Messi claimed that he thought of following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League
Lionel Messi once acknowledged that he contemplated joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, but eventually chose MLS side Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
In a December 2023 interview with TIME Magazine, Messi said that the Saudi Pro League was a genuine option for him before he chose the United States over the Middle East. He said (via Eurosport):
"I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league. I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future."
Messi continued:
"As the country’s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition. It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me."
Despite getting a multi-million dollar offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club (via TIME), the Argentine chose the Herons. At Inter Miami, Messi reportedly receives an annual compensation of $20 million, including revenue cuts from media partner Apple and an ownership stake at Inter Miami after he retires.