‘Never seen anything like it’ – Lionel Messi ‘spectacle’ at Inter Miami amazes former Barcelona team-mate Marc Bartra

The iconic Argentine is not the only Camp Nou legend to have made his way to the United States this summer, with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also now in Florida. That have been captivating an American audience, with tickets to see the Messi show becoming much sought-after.

Bartra, who is now at Real Betis, is among those to have been watching on from afar and has told SPORT of seeing Messi savour Leagues Cup glory during a stunning start to life in the States: “I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s a spectacle. I’m glad he’s happy in Miami, and also because of Busi and Alba, I talk to them often. And for Tata [Martino], who took good care of me at Barca.”

Bartra is a product of the famed La Masia academy system and continues to keep a close eye on events in Catalunya. He has seen Lamine Yamal become the latest teen sensation at Barca, with the defender saying of the record-setting 16-year-old ahead of a meeting with the Blaugrana on Saturday: “Look, we follow each other on social networks, and I recently wrote to him and told him to keep his feet on the ground, that this will lead him to a career, and that mentality is the most important thing, even more than talent. He makes a difference and seems like a very good kid.”

Messi passed up the opportunity to retrace steps to Barcelona in the summer of 2023, as he went chasing the American dream, and it appears unlikely that Bartra will return to Camp Nou before the time comes for him to hang up his boots – despite the former Spain international refusing to close any doors.