'Lionel Messi could be 80 years old and still be the best in MLS!' - Ex-Man Utd star makes outrageous claim about Inter Miami superstar - and insists Argentine's retirement will be a 'problem' for U.S. soccer

After a stuttering start to the 2024 MLS campaign, due to a hamstring injury, Messi has been gradually getting his mojo back with Inter Miami. In his last appearance against Nashville, the 2022 World Cup winner lit up the Chase Stadium with a brace and an assist to fire the hosts to a 3-1 win. And despite being in the twilight of his career, ex-Villarreal and United man Rossi thinks he is head and shoulders above the rest in the league.

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Speaking to DAZN, Rossi said: "If you look at him on the pitch, he could be 80 years old and still be the best player on the field in the MLS. Everyone loves to see him because he is the greatest of all time."

Rossi believes that once Messi hangs up his boots, however, the MLS will be in trouble.

"The expectation of Messi coming to the MLS has nothing to do with performance on the pitch - it’s all about the league performance off the pitch," he argued.

"It was about how much Messi could generate from his short period at the time and I think they've done it. If you look at the TV rights and the merchandise it has skyrocketed, everything is going just as they planned it. The problem is that when he's done and he wants to hang up his boots, who is going to fill that void in the MLS? I feel like that is going to be a problem."

Messi had recently opened up on his retirement plans where he assured fans that he would not hang up his boots because of his age but when he would stop "enjoying" the sport.

“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer performing, that I am no longer enjoying it or helping my teammates [I will retire],” Messi said in an interview with the Big Time podcast.

“I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”

When further pressed about his plans post-retirement the 36-year-old replied: "I have not yet thought about this, I am still focused on enjoying my football every day. I hope to continue playing for a while longer, that is my plan. After that, I will try to do something I like in a new role.”

Messi has struck nine times for Inter Miami in as many appearances this season and will hope to add to his ever-increasing tally on Saturday when the Herons face the New England Revolution.