Bruce Arena made a good point the other day - there's only 3 turf fields in the East - he's going to play in front of 73k in Atlanta for sure.
Now, is going to play @ NER next season where it would be 65K or Carolina - 75K (larger then Atlanta) on "Decision day"? I think so
Will he fly out to Portland? Not sure
This year, his away trips will be LAFC, Cinci, New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte.
^Obviously I am just guessing here, but I think his biggest single objective will be to be a decent active player in 2026, and not just be in the 26 but be a contributor to Argentina at the next World Cup.
The marketing power in the strategy of what he is trying to do requires him to still be good three years from now. This is true for MLS also, so the league has incentives not just to allow this, but to encourage it!
So I think, in pursuit of that, he will do unique things that seem “crazy”. Such as skipping Atlanta games.
“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”
Inter Barcelona FC
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1668645706955988993?s=20
As a supporter of a rival team, this 'sign all of Messis old friends' is pure upside for us, I love it. We get the financial boost from attendance when theyr'e here and, hopefully, success of the Apple TV deal but share a conference with a team that will be ill equipped to become any kind of dominant force if they sign more of these players
Love seeing this news, basically.
Same here. LA Galaxy syndrome in full effect. Keep it coming Miami.
Now if only we had someone in charge of our team that could take advantage of any new roster flexibility without tying stacks of cash to anchors to sink forever.
Or else try to get Campagna off of them for someone like Akinola or O'Neill.
It's Oprah Time for Miami... and you get to play for Inter-Miami, and you get to play for Inter-Miami, and you get to play for Inter-Miami! Heck even that broken down retiree, el companero Kun, is now in on this absurdist fun; enjoying the Messi moment...
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1667880133271625729
So he's... a TAM player?
Even before Messi gets there they have three DPs. Now they have to free up two of those spots? Or is a fourth DP imminent? I'd heard they were doing away with all of that and just going to a higher cap next year.
Interesting to see how they finesse this. Maybe he signs a six-month TAM deal then pre-signs a new deal for next year at DP level, if they know changes are coming.
I'm sure they can't wait to be rid of Pizarro's anchor contract, given his production levels, but Campana is a good striker for his age. Like, one we should poach of possible if they have to get rid of him.
I cannot see Kun playing. Maybe another role; as U&P suggests. Regardless. IMCF most likely has / wants to shed most to all of their DPs, U22s, and TAMS to facilitate the success of this initiative; a Messi template. Maybe the club takes advantage of MLS expansions to their Intraleague Loans Policy and their In-Season Player Buyout Policy? Perhaps MLS quietly introduces new MLS rules or regulations to effect this?
Kun retired on the advice of doctors while at Barcelona, I don't think there's even a .1% chance he signs as a player contract. I wouldn't waste time thinking about how they can fit him onto the roster - if playing again was at all a prospect, he'd have been doing whatever he could to potentially make it onto the world cup squad
If Jordi Alba does end up at IMCF, then I suspect Raoul Petretta will no longer be the highest paid left back in MLS?
He said yesterday he won't play in the World Cup in 2026. But I also heard a suggestion yesterday he plans to restrict travel somewhat. He's expected to skip some road trips based on load management, which if you're one of those ticket-paying fans who want to see the 'best ever' tour is going to really be a pisser.
Messi, The GOAT! Thanks, but no thanks Sheik! I choose Inter-Miami! Bonkers! Legend...
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1666540706880684033
IMO, really, really, interesting article. Simplifies the explanations for why the deal works. Of it's potential metrics; prior templates...
(For instance, in two years, PSG supposedly made $130M on Messi Jerseys alone!!! That is after Nike's cut and Messi's!)
https://huddleup.substack.com/p/the-...m_medium=email
Last edited by Mr. Inbetween; 06-14-2023 at 10:43 AM.
I am happy to wager a pint on this. He's going.
That statement is a smart but meaningless thing to do.
Messi may well drop from qualification, that I can see. But he is going in 2026 whether he wants to or not! If he is still playing. (Same for Copa America in 2024, btw)
Imagine the pressure that would be on him, the Argentine manager, everybody. Anybody who knows anything about Argentina knows that the domestic politics around this would be insane. This would be way, way bigger than football.
I also suspect he wants to, and recognizes that this is the correct way to play it.
Last edited by ensco; 06-14-2023 at 11:45 AM.
“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”
^
Agree. Wholeheartedly. It's the smart move/play. Circumvents, avoids or shuts down the entire discussion. The one that he needs to compete, test and prepare himself at the highest level to play in Y26; so why then did he go to MLS?
Dominoes falling in place...
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/90min_us/status/1669438862525976582
From the same Argentinian radio station that broke the Messi decision to MLS...
Pal 'Chomper' seems to be 'in play' again...
Although Suarez has made statements denying the rumour, other chatter is either he is coming or it's leverage to get Gremio to ante up what they owe Suarez on his contract; supposedly behind in their payments. Otherwise they are in breach of contract which sets him free from a 70 million Euros transfer clause against a USD2.5M salary?
'Suarez may be moving to MLS At least, that's what journalist Leo Paradizo, from Radio Continental590 and ESPN in Argentina, publishes. According to the source, Luisito is about to arrange his transfer to Inter Miami, Lionel Messi's MLS club.'
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/oBotafoguista/status/1670152083666792449
You learn something new everyday. Today I learned that the same corporate group that makes the adhesive labels I use at work are working on finishing all the IMCF Adidas Jerseys in the world with The GOAT's name on it.
https://twitter.com/kaufsports/status/1670525346435743757
https://twitter.com/XavierLSuarez1/status/1670427494011355136
Last edited by Mr. Inbetween; 06-19-2023 at 09:19 AM.
https://www.theguardian.com/football...but-on-21-july
Debut july 21 against Cruz Azul in the League's Cup, according to the Miami owner.
Weird, because I'd bet it'll be the all-star game two days earlier(!!!? This fucking league, scheduling the all-star game TWO DAYS before cup games.)