Explained: Why MLS move can help Lionel Messi to another World Cup as 1978 winner Mario Kempes claims Inter Miami superstar made right career call

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi bid farewell to European football in the summer of 2023 following memorable spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He opted to go chasing the American dream, with David Beckham and the Inter Miami board luring the all-time great to Florida.

Messi has suffered an injury while in the U.S. but also has more major honours to his name – having inspired a Leagues Cup triumph – and is considered to be playing at a level that will prevent him from being pushed to breaking point at 36 years of age.

Kempes, who won the World Cup in 1978 and saw Messi emulate those heroics at Qatar 2022, has told Infobae of why a move to America can help to prolong the most distinguished of careers: “I can't recommend anything, he is older and knows what he is doing. I think he is right to come to play in the United States - here he will be much calmer, he will have more time to play than in Europe, which is more complicated and maybe he can make it to the other World Cup. But the preparation will be be totally different because of that adrenaline that you can have in Europe, although here the league is going to bring more and more players from the powerful divisions.”

Messi’s presence in MLS is expected to lure more top talent to the States, with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez already joining him in Miami. He is currently readying himself for the 2024 season, with friendly dates against the likes of Newell’s Old Boys and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr lined up.