Explained: Why Lionel Messi team-mates ‘drool’ in training as Inter Miami colleague Nicolas Stefanelli lifts lid on life in MLS with all-time great

The 2022 World Cup winner become a marquee addition at DRV PNK Stadium during the summer of 2023. Despite there being talk of a move to America being made for some time, it still came as something of a surprise to those in Florida when Messi and his family arrived in the United States.

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Messi inspired Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory as his first piece of business – netting a number of spectacular goals along the way – and is expected to aid bids for more major silverware in 2024 after enjoying a well-earned winter break.

Messi has returned to the U.S. from Argentina and will soon be back in training, allowing him to put on more masterclasses for those working alongside the all-time great. Stefanelli has told Fox Sports of being left amazed on a daily basis: “I see him in training and I drool. Then, when he makes a pass and his back is to the player, I ask myself: 'How does he see that pass? It just can't be'. That's why he is also the best player in history.”

Stefanelli added on watching Messi from afar having been injured when the Argentine – and fellow former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – joined Tata Martino’s squad: “I can't believe what I'm seeing. These guys play something else!”

Inter Miami now have another superstar on their books, with Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez joining ex-Barca colleagues Messi, Busquets and Alba in America. He will be looking to find his feet during a series of friendly dates that include meetings with the likes of Newell’s Old Boys, a Hong Kong Select XI and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.