The Argentine superstar could make his Inter Miami debut this weekend.
All eyes will be on Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday evening as Lionel Messi makes his much-anticipated debut with Inter Miami CF in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
The MLS club will face Liga MX’s Cruz Azul in the group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium. It marks the first game of Leagues Cup 2023 for both teams, with all clubs from MLS and Liga MX participating.
Who will win?
Cruz Azul may not be getting the same international attention as Inter Miami, but they have a talented roster, including top prospect Rodrigo Huescas. The young and dynamic player, along with the return of Carlos Rodriguez and Uriel Antuna, will bolster their chances against an Inter Miami team that has struggled in MLS. Inter Miami is currently on an 11-match winless streak in MLS games, with the fewest points and a poor goal differential this season.
However, Inter Miami’s trump card is none other than Lionel Messi. Making his debut, Messi brings unparalleled skills and an impressive track record, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career. His presence alone could tilt the scales in Inter Miami’s favor, especially with the additional arrival of veteran Sergio Busquets, who starred alongside Messi in Barcelona.
Will Messi score against Cruz Azul?
Inter Miami have refused to confirm a date for Messi’s debut, with David Beckham suggesting the Argentine superstar could rest in the upcoming Leagues Cup match. However, most observers have speculated that Messi will at least come into the pitch as a substitute against Cruz Azul.
After leaving PSG as a free agent, Messi played in a friendly match for Argentina last month. The 36-year-old scored a spectacular goal against Australia, celebrating his fifth international goal after the World Cup.
With Messi showing no signs of slowing down in recent months, the chances of him scoring against Cruz Azul’s out-of-form backline is not low. However, most punters are cautious of placing early bets on Messi’s debut goal since he might not have a full 90 minutes to do so.
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