Neymar's predicted that Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami will ultimately be a game-changer for Major League Soccer (MLS), following his former teammate's free agent move abroad.
Last week, Messi announced his decision to join David Beckham's club once his two-year contract with Paris Saint-German (PSG) expires at the end of June.
'I'm certain that Leo is going to change the league in the United States,' Neymar told ESPN. 'I believe the league will become a lot more popular.
'So everyone has to take advantage and enjoy watching him because unfortunately nothing lasts forever.'
Messi was strongly linked with a return to former club Barcelona, where he won six Ballon d'Or awards and three Champions League titles, as well as a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, where he could've linked up alongside Karim Benzema and N'golo Kante.
In the end, however, the Argentine, 35, chose to join the team currently standing in last place of the MLS' Eastern Conference standings.
Neymar, who crossed paths with Messi at both Barcelona and PSG, is not sure what to make of Messi's decision, which has already made a huge impact in the US before the World Cup winner even draped on an Inter Miami shirt.
Tickets to see The Herons in action are either nearly sold out or are being sold at an exorbitant price following Messi's announcement to leave Europe for South Florida.
'I'm sad and happy at the same time,' Neymar further said, adding: 'I already knew. Messi is one of my best friends, a gift that soccer has given me.
'I had the opportunity to get to know him, to play with him and then, to build a beautiful friendship. So, I knew that he wanted to come here [Miami], and we spoke about it. I told him he was going to be very happy in the city, because of the style of life, the opportunity to come and live and play here in Miami.'
The Brazilian forward, who's love of basketball is well documented among fans, is currently rooting for the Miami Heat during the NBA Finals.
On Friday, he was spotted in the crowd at Kaseya Center, sitting alongside Brazil teammate and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior as the Heat suffered their third loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4.
On the other hand, Messi's headed to international duty with Argentina and was seen having issues with Chinese border control officials in Beijing, where La Albiceleste will take on Australia at Workers Stadium, before playing Indonesia in Jakarta.
Habackpy
0
Hello King Neymar jr it's your invisible fan I just wanted to tell you that please put into considerations my thoughts because time is going soon next season will be starting and I wanted to say that it will be better if you make up your mind now whether staying at PSG or moving out, because time is going if teams are not showing interests that's their lose and believe me that's their lose, you just stay is PSG GOD WILL DO IT THERE And also I wanted to tell you that another extra ordinary way of avoiding injuries is by LONG RANGE PASSING Because people fear to mark you because they know any mistake the ball will be switched so I beg you please make long range passing your character because long range passing is different from, passing a dangerous ball or drilling in such a way that if long range passing isn't your character no mater how good you are but most times is hard to long range pass if it's not your character so ibeg you King please long range pass even 30 long passes in a single game us 20 dribbles Your much talented I know you know that you can do it So please I beg you this is the time know which team you will be playing for next season and start your maths on how you will be reaching UEFA champions final Love allot king I love you Your my hero
Boybclrsty
1
messi
Z_i_k_k_o_
0
He didn’t go to Saudi because he wouldn’t play in a league where he doesn’t have other white boys.
Is america a white country are they not North Americans
Veuemst
1
Pele didn’t help the game. Maybe social media will. But what Europeans will really watch soccer. And 2:00 or 3:00 games at that? Beckham will make money selling shirts but who cares about mls
Mapabeimru
1
According to the data on this app Messi won (4) Champions League trophies with Barcelona in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. In 2006 he played in (6) UEFA Champions League games, starting (4) and being subbed in twice and scored (1) goal during the tournament. So he has indeed won the Champions League (4) times, not (3).
Try harder as a constant Messi publicist you’ve got to try harder, so far you’re only convincing already Messi fans and no one else. You should take up a different pastime where you may succeed.
Mapabeimru
1
messi won 4 champions league
Ronaldo won 5 what’s your point
Mapabeimru
1
Messi is wise, every one thought he will go to Saudi and his haters say because of Ronaldo influence...Messi joined Saudi league but he chose otherwise!
He didn’t go to Saudi because he wouldn’t play in a league where he doesn’t have other white boys.
Mapabeimru
1
and we all know who played a camel 🐪 league and doesn't make it to the team of the season 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And your Messi is still unintelligent and doesn’t even influence the upcoming stars of football. Only Ronaldo does that at so many levels. But go ahead and keep trying to compare him to Ronaldo, at least you’re smart enough to compare him to the best
Mapabeimru
1
MLS is a league in the US and therefor Messi won’t make much of a difference there, the popularity of the sport won’t change that much. The biggest and most popular sports in America is America Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey these are culturally huge sports to Most Americans that won’t change unless the sport of Soccer becomes a high scoring sport. Americans wants to watch sports that has lots of scoring. They not interested in someone dribbling around a feud and not scoring a lot of goals, it’s just not on their DNA. Regardless of who goes there to play soccer, all the big names have been there, even Pele. And the likes of these Messis, Beckhams, Rooneys, Zaltans and the likes hasn’t and won’t move the sports popularity very much. Only lots of scoring can, and there’s already the big cultural US sports doing that as mentioned.
yeocdelrt
2
we all know who change the worst league to become popular first🐐
[image]
and we all know who played a camel 🐪 league and doesn't make it to the team of the season 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
SheikhRefat01
13
MLS will be popular only when they stop calling football as "Soccer" and "Rugby" as football 🤣🤣 Stupid American
Mepaeorst
1
Man. You
mbudzeni
1
MLS is dead
Keney_G
0
Who doesn't know that but how will others cope with midnight football
maturidikxith
4
we all know who change the worst league to become popular first🐐
Victorspurs
0
It will become popular The goat 🐐 effect
Dakpech33
3
will he change the playing time to European and African time zones where the fans lice for the league to be famous
ManUnited-Red
1
Messi would flop in the mls very hard, so as Neymar
Shmonny
0
Messi is wise, every one thought he will go to Saudi and his haters say because of Ronaldo influence...Messi joined Saudi league but he chose otherwise!
teeacdlpr
3
but what if he flops like he flopped in ligue 1?
Kuzdelostz
1
messi won 4 champions league
Nohaclr
5
According to the data on this app Messi won (4) Champions League trophies with Barcelona in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. In 2006 he played in (6) UEFA Champions League games, starting (4) and being subbed in twice and scored (1) goal during the tournament. So he has indeed won the Champions League (4) times, not (3).