Lionel Messi is yet to settle in Inter Miami and fears over how his presence could affect games have begun to spring up, with USMNT legend Alexi Lalas suggesting that the MLS referees will give him special treatment.
The Argentina World Cup hero was unveiled at a special event on Sunday in front of 20,000 fans at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, home of the MLS franchise owned by global football icon David Beckham. Millions tuned in via social media and Apple TV – who played a big role in landing Messi for the club – to watch the unveiling.
A number of celebrities graced the event virtually and physically and even the Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez sent a message to welcome the former Paris Saint-Germain forward to America.
Messi is currently preparing to join his new teammates in training and is slated to make his first appearance in an official MLS game on August 21. His much anticipated first appearance for Miami is the talk of the football and business world because of the financial implications of his presence in the city.
This has prompted many to take positions on his influence on the game itself, with some believing he will improve the level of the MLS and others, like Lalas, insinuating that he could make the other MLS players softer because of who he is.
Lalas believes that referees will also give him and Miami special treatment whenever they take to the pitch. Lalas, however, believes that Messi has earned the right to special treatment, adding a disclaimer to the answer he gave to the question which was posed to him on Twitter.
“Of course [he gets special treatment],” Lalas posted on Twitter. “Fans pay to see stars. Stars get treated differently… as they should!”
The former defender’s comments left enough room for debates and fans took the bait. Some believed Lalas to be in support of any special treatment Messi could get and claimed that it could water down the level, while others took his words literally and supported the notion that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner deserves special treatment.
Messi, meanwhile, is gearing up for his first Inter Miami appearance as their new number 10 alongside long-time friend and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, who was also unveiled with him at the event on Sunday.
They could both make their debuts on Friday in the MLS League Cup to help the Miami side save what is left of their crumbling season.
