“There’s no one better than Messi” - USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley makes bold admission as he predicts state of MLS after Lionel Messi’s exit
USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley has made a bold admission while predicting about the potential state of the MLS after Lionel Messi leaves. The legendary Argentine superstar left Europe and moved across the pond to join Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
Messi's contract at the club is set to expire at the end of 2025, raising questions about his future. Although Inter Miami are widely expected to offer Messi a new contract, there have also been concerns about the 37-year-old's potential retirement.
When asked about Messi's eventual departure from the MLS during an interview with GOAL, DaMarcus Beasley said:
"I think the league still has to find ways to bring those type of players right into this thing. Whether that's an older Neymar, he's kind of in those conversations. Kevin De Bruyne's going to help out."
He continued:
"But MLS has to be a league that still can attract those type of players. We're never going to attract Messi again, because, look, there's no one better than Messi. And to be honest, as a fan and as a former player of the league, I'm intrigued to see what they're going to do: what the Apple (TV) deal is going to turn into."
Since he joined the MLS, Lionel Messi has led Inter Miami to win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024.
Lionel Messi reunion with Neymar Jr at Inter Miami termed "impossible"
There has been talk about a potential reunion between Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr at Inter Miami. The duo notably played together at Barcelona and at Paris Saint-Germain. However, their paths diverged in 2023 when the Argentine playmaker joined the Herons and the Brazilian winger joined Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
After enduring a long injury spell in the Middle East, Neymar looks to be on the verge of an exit. While this seemed to open the door for a move to Miami, Herons' head coach Javier Mascherano has termed it "impossible". He said (via MSN):
“We cannot talk about Ney because we have nothing. Obviously Ney is a great player. Every coach in the world wants him but at the moment, but you know the MLS rules around the salary cap. So for us in this moment, it’s impossible to try to think about him.”
With the salary caps in place, the Herons will be unable to sign Neymar. It is uncertain where the Brazilian winger will continue his career.