'Can be punched in the face' - Lionel Messi & Inter Miami warned they 'won't blow the doors off' MLS in 2024 season as ex-USMNT star Taylor Twellman makes stinging fear factor claim

Inter Miami have been tipped for big things ahead of the 2024 MLS season after reuniting superstar Lionel Messi with former Barca team-mates Suarez, Alba and Busquets. Miami struggled in MLS last season but did win the Leagues Cup following Messi's arrival. More success is now expected after the arrival of more big names but ex-USMNT star Twellman thinks opponents will be able to cause the Herons problems.

He told Mail Sports: "I don't think they're going to blow the doors off the way a lot of the experts believe that. I just don't see that. I think they can be punched in the face. I think [opponents] could be aggressive. I think you get after it. I think you can be very athletic and make them uncomfortable. I don't think everyone else in the league this year is going to be as in awe as they were last year, and I think it's going to make it difficult. When Messi and Inter Miami showed up that last summer, I think initially everybody was like, 'wait a minute, what, he's on the other side of the field?... That's not going to be there this year.

"I think they have enough now to make it work as long as the... four big name players that are on this team - if they stay relatively healthy, and when they are healthy, they're operating at 100%. I think they've got enough to have a successful season. But I also think it's not as big of an 'if' as people think, I think it's going to be tested at some point. Depth is going to be needed throughout the entire season for Inter Miami and if they go to the final in every competition, they could play upwards of 59 to 61 games [on] the year. That's a lot. They're going to need everybody they can, so that's why I say that it's a bigger concern."

Inter Miami's shambolic pre-season tour will have offered MLS rivals hope that Messi's team can be beaten. Tata Martino's side only managed one win, against a Hong Kong XI, and were comfortably beaten by Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. The tour was also overshadowed by complaints over Messi's lack of involvement, due to an injury issue, that left many fans angry and asking for refunds.

MLS fans don't have long to wait now until the 2024 season kicks off. Inter Miami open up with a home fixture against Real Salt Lake on February 21.