'We take it for granted' - Lionel Messi hailed for always 'rising to the occasion' after latest Inter Miami masterclass as Taylor Twellman insists MLS will never see another player like him

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived in the United States during the summer of 2023. He helped to secure a historic Leagues Cup crown within weeks of David Beckham and Co completing that stunning transfer coup.

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There have been injury issues since then, which impacted an international pre-season tour, but Messi is already up to five goals in the 2024 campaign. The latest of those came in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City in front of over 70,000 spectators at Arrowhead Stadium – the home of the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs.

Former USMNT star Taylor Twellman was among those watching on as Messi delivered another masterclass in Missouri and has said of the need to make the most of the iconic Argentine while he is still around: “72,000 people showed up in Kansas City to watch an MLS league game – that is the fourth largest in league history for a single MLS game. Just let that sink in. Even their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, wanted to be there 90 minutes before kick-off to soak it all in. And tip of the cap to the fans. I was expecting a pro-Messi crowd. It was a pro-Kansas City crowd, and then some. But how do you not marvel at what Messi does on and off the field? People forget that in 2008, Sporting Kansas City played their last competitive game in that building against the LA Galaxy, where Inter Miami owner David Beckham was in town and they only drew 26,000. Messi shows up, they sell out in less than a week. But then it’s the ability to rise to the occasion every single time and give the people want they want – the assists, the goal, the win. We take it for granted what he does and what it all means. And when it’s all said and done, will we ever see the likes of this again? I doubt it.”

Messi is tied to a contract in Florida through to the end of the 2025 MLS season, with those terms including the option for a further 12-month extension. The all-time great appears to be enjoying his football in the States and may prolong his spell in Miami to include a World Cup title defence with Argentina on American soil in 2026.