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NFL legends and brothers Travis and Jason Kelce are in disagreement over their views about Lionel Messi playing in Inter Miami.
The legendary Argentine playmaker looks set to guide the Herons to the MLS playoffs, as they currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with 15 points from nine games. He has also been their best player in attack, racking up 11 goal contributions in eight games across all competitions.
However, for NFL legend Jason Kelce, watching Messi play in the MLS has not met his expectations, as he said on the New Heights podcast (via GOAL):
“It's not the same being in the MLS.”
When his brother Travis said “Don’t sh*t on MLS,” Jason responded:
“I'm not sh*tting on MLS. I'm saying it's not international soccer. When you think of soccer, I know there's all these wonderful clubs overseas, there's the MLS, I think of the World Cup, that's all I'm saying. It's international play and then everything else. I didn't say I won't watch it (MLS). I'm just saying it wasn't the same level."
Jason continued:
"Seeing Messi play for Inter Miami is not the same as when he played in Barcelona or when he was at the world stage at the World Cup. That's all I'm saying - it's not the same. Seeing Michael Jordan on the golf course is not the same as seeing Jordan in a Bulls uniform."
The NFL legend added:
"You see one person on the biggest stage possible, with the biggest team in history. This is the best soccer player at the World Cup. That's different than seeing Lionel Messi tearing it up in Kansas City, just saying.”
His brother Travis Kelce answered (via GOAL):
“Dude, it's the same - it's Lionel Messi. It was the same as when [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic went f*cking crazy in LA. It's great, it's electric. He made the MLS fun to watch.”
Lionel Messi's impressive start at Inter Miami
The legendary Argentine footballer opted to leave Europe for a switch across the pond to the MLS last summer. After spending much of his playing career at Barcelona, he played for two years at Paris Saint-Germain, before deciding to leave the continent entirely.
Since he joined Inter Miami in Florida, Lionel Messi has been a knight in shining armor, helping them through difficult matches and securing wins against all odds. He notably led the side to their first-ever trophy in the Leagues Cup, while also guiding them to reach the final of the US Open Cup.
His efforts were not enough to see Inter Miami pick up enough points to reach the MLS playoffs last season. However, this time around, he will be hoping to meet and exceed expectations by driving the club into the playoffs and snatching another trophy.
Messi has registered 18 goals and nine assists in 22 games across competitions so far for Inter Miami.
