Lionel Messi quality that is more associated with Cristiano Ronaldo highlighted by former USMNT star amid Inter Miami’s unbeaten start to 2024 MLS campaign

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has calmed any concerns over his fitness, which emerged during pre-season, by helping the Herons to pick up seven points from three games. Messi has registered three goals and the same number of assists, with the all-time great showing that he has lost none of his drive to be successful.

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Portuguese icon Ronaldo is famed for his constant pursuit of perfection, but MLS legend Sacha Kljestan says Messi falls into the same category. The former USMNT star has told mlssoccer.com after seeing the Argentine superstar bag a brace in a 5-0 mauling of Orlando City: “Messi got two goals and an assist to bring him to 3g/3a through three games. And how he scored was just breathtaking. The first one came with his chest while three Orlando City defenders scrambled on the goal line, then the second was a sublime header at the back post. Yes, we are used to seeing Messi score beautiful goals. But he’s relentless in his pursuit of winning games and he has started the season on fire.”

Veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez also netted twice in a derby with Orlando, as the 37-year-old silenced some of his doubters. Kljestan added on the ex-Liverpool and Barcelona frontman: “Suarez had a lot of questions coming into this season. He quieted a lot of critics, myself included, with a classic Suarez performance – two well-taken goals and two superb assists. This is the Luis Suarez that Inter Miami fans have been expecting and he delivered big time in a derby game. It's clear these two players have a natural connection on and off the field. Will anyone be able to slow them down this season?”

Inter Miami will be back in action on Thursday when their attention turns to CONCACAF Champions Cup matters. The first leg of a last-16 encounter in that competition will see Messi and Co take in a trip to Nashville.