Switching teams is no easy feat, even for one of the greatest players in history, and Lionel Messi has experienced this firsthand. After leaving Europe and bidding farewell to PSG in the summer of 2023, the Argentine star embarked on a new journey with Inter Miami in the MLS, reuniting with old friends and teammates like Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Tata Martino.

However, his transition to the United States has not been without its challenges. Injuries forced him to adjust his playing style to the league's demands and his own age. "I’ve changed my style of play for the moment, the situation, and my age. I started to reinvent myself and adapt to a league that was new to me. I felt very comfortable from the start," Messi shared in an interview with Fabrizio Romano.

Now injury-free and fully adapted to his new environment, Messi has made a significant impact at Inter Miami. With 20 goals and 10 assists in just 19 games, he has led the Florida franchise to the top of the MLS. His leadership was instrumental in the team’s triumph in the Supporters' Shield, marking a historic regular season for the American league. "To build a club, you have to win titles. The club came off a rough season [14th in 2023], and shortly after my arrival, we won the Leagues Cup, the club’s first trophy. It was extraordinary, and now we’re eager to compete in these playoffs and aim for the MLS Cup," Messi noted.

The regular season was just the beginning, and a national title would cement Inter Miami's legitimacy in the MLS. The playoffs started positively for the team, with a 2-1 home victory over Atlanta. Although Messi didn’t score, he assisted Jordi Alba for the winning goal, but he acknowledged there’s room for improvement: "We made many mistakes we need to avoid, often silly ones," he reflected.

As competitive as ever, Messi didn’t cross the Atlantic just to make appearances; he’s here to win. "We need to be stronger than ever and take advantage of the strengths we have," said the Argentine, noting that the team will play at home up to the final. "I believe we’re one of the favorites [to win the MLS Cup], but we’ll face tough opponents who won’t give us anything," he cautioned. After his success in Spain and France, Messi dreams of conquering American soccer and has shown he’s willing to adapt to achieve it.