‘Smiles every day’ – Lionel Messi treading same MLS path as Johan Cruyff as Inter Miami superstar finds privacy denied him at Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain

The Argentine superstar decided to go chasing the American dream in 2023 after reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. He had endured a couple of testing years in France, having been forced to sever career-long ties with Barcelona in 2021.

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Messi and his family are loving life in the United States, as they escape the glare of public attention in Europe, and former MLS coach Rongen – who once played alongside Dutch icon Cruyff in the NASL for the Washington Diplomats – is enjoying seeing a new side of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Rongen has told Inside Inter Miami: “With Argentina in the last World Cup, he went from an introvert into an extrovert, and that’s continued in the United States. He smiles every day, he’s said on multiple occasions ‘I love it here, I can go out with my kids, I haven’t done that not just in Paris, but also in Barcelona.’ I remember my former team-mate, Johan Cruyff, when he came to the NASL saying ‘oh my god, nobody is really recognising me,’ or ‘everything is respecting my privacy when I’m out with my kids and my wife, which I haven’t been able to do in 10 years.’ So for Messi to run down the sideline and to high-five his kids on the field, that to me shows that he’s enjoying the game. He’s still playing at a high level, and I hope he plays at 2026 for Argentina at the World Cup, he’s found a new love for the game.”

Messi has been performing at his magical best for Inter Miami – having already helped them to Leagues Cup glory in his debut campaign – and is considered to be an MVP contender for 2024 after breaking more records and reaching double figures for goals and assists.