Messi full of praise for the USMNT: “They had a great World Cup”

Lionel Messi said the United States men’s team left a good impression at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and assured that the national team is on the rise.

Luis Guillermo Vázquezluis_lgazulAndy HallUpdate: Aug 18th, 2023 06:45 EDT

CHANDAN KHANNAAFP

Lionel Messi gave his first press conference as an Inter Miami player this week. The Argentine star spoke to the media and acknowledged that he is focused on the challenge of being able to win his first trophy with his new club on Saturday when Inter Miami take on Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final.

Messi had already spoke about how he views soccer in the United States in an exclusive interview with TUDN, and admitted that he was surprised by how well the men’s national team performed at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

📆 #OTD in 2010: @clint_dempsey helps us to a 1-1 draw with England in our opening match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.We meet again on November 25 in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/fCw7pOw9b9

— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 12, 2022

“At international level, the US men’s team has grown a lot in just the last year. The results show that. They had a great World Cup. They left a great image, were competitive and competed on an equal footing against every team in every game they played. It took the Netherlands to eliminate them – a very tough side. In general, soccer is growing in the US and I hope it continues to do so. It also has room for improvement. I hope that the national team and soccer in the States in general, will soon start to achieve a lot,” Messi told reporters.

“Poder conseguir nuestro primer título sería hermoso para todos.”Leo on the growth of this Club and its future potential impact on the league. pic.twitter.com/9L3tYTma45

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 17, 2023

Messi’s thoughts on the MLS

The Argentine revealed that Miami was a city that he had already looked at as a potential destination together with his family and acknowledged that little by little he has been seeing how the league in which he will make his long-awaited debut next week is played.