Chiellini: 'Messi's team is now the strongest in MLS'
"Honestly, this Inter Miami is the strongest opponent I have ever faced in MLS," Chiellini said after LAFC lost 1-3 to Miami. "Not only do they have three players who played for Barca, but they have also built a really good team."
Chiellini started and played 52 minutes in Los Angeles FC's loss to Miami. The visitors led 3-0 thanks to goals from Farias in the 14th minute, Alba in the 51st minute and Campana in the 83rd minute, before Hollingshead pulled one back for the defending champions. Messi - captain of Miami - created two goals for Alba and Campana. Besides Messi and Alba, Miami also has another former Barca player, Sergio Busquets - who plays an important role, holding the midfield.
Chiellini joined Los Angeles FC from July 2022. In the first season, the Euro 2021 champion helped Los Angeles FC win the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield. This season, the former Juventus star continued to impress when he brought the American team to the CONCACAF Champions League final, only losing to Mexico's Leon with a final score of 1-3 after two matches.
After the victory over Los Angeles FC on the morning of September 4, Miami was only eight points behind the MLS play-off group. If they continue to play well in the remaining nine matches, Messi's team can win tickets. "They are in a not easy situation to get into the play-offs, but I bet on it," Chiellini added.
Messi has been playing for Miami since July 21. With two assists in the win over Los Angeles FC, the 36-year-old striker increased his record after 11 matches in all competitions for his new team to 11 goals and 5 assists. Miami won 10 and drew one of these 11 matches, setting a record for the longest unbeaten streak in club history, while also winning the Leagues Cup and reaching the final of the American National Cup.
"Messi is the best player in the world. What do you think he will do when he comes here?", Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo answered when asked about Messi's impact on MLS.
Chiellini also admits Messi brings a new breath to MLS. This not only has a positive impact on Inter Miami, but also attracts the attention of fans and brings a big step forward for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Messi has more confidence in his ability to win tickets to the MLS play-off round. Before that, he and his teammates considered the match against Los Angeles FC as a test to see where Inter Miami was and what it could do. "We played on a difficult field against a very strong opponent, the defending champion. This is a good result given what is about to happen," Messi said. "The team is still growing every day. Before that, we were lucky to win a title and reach another final."
If they enter the MLS play-off round, Messi and his teammates will have the opportunity to compete for the championship with eight other teams in the East and nine teams in the West. They also have a chance to win a third title in the 2023 season, if they win against Houston Dynamo in the US National Cup final on September 28.
