'Lionel Messi could have downed tools' - Ex-USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard praises Inter Miami superstar for giving MLS audiences a tantalising 'teaser' of what's to come in 2024 season

It's exciting times for football in America with Messi starring in Miami and the build up to the 2026 World Cup already underway. Indeed, Howard seems more than happy to go along for the ride as he paid tribute to the World Cup winner and looked forward to what he could offer in his first full season in Florida.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Mail, Howard shared his excitement ahead of the 2026 World Cup and paid tribute to how Messi has re-energised the stateside soccer scene, looking ahead to the Argentinian's first full season in MLS.

"We've seen the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham - some of the greats - but to see Lionel Messi… let's face it, he could have come to MLS and downed tools. And he didn't do that."

The goalkeeper adds: "Last year was a little bit of a teaser, and now it’s like: okay, this is the real thing."

Messi certainly hit the ground running in America with an astonishing scoring run in the Leagues Cup in August that delivered immediate silverware. His MLS form, though, was hit by a series of injuries, limiting him to just six outings as Inter Miami never managed to seriously threaten making the play-offs. Reunited with close friend and strike partner Luis Suarez, Howard and fans can't wait to see what Messi can deliver in 2024.

Howard spent three seasons at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed enough to take a chance on a goalkeeper from MLS' Metrostars in the summer of 2003. The shot stopper went straight into the United side and made his Premier League debut on the same day that Cristiano Ronaldo famously made his bow as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford.