“I went to a lesser league” – Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi explains his decision to downgrade from Europe to MLS

Lionel Messi says that the MLS is a "lesser league" in a recent interview.

“I went to a lesser league” – Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi explains his decision to downgrade from Europe to MLS

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (Via X/@worldsoccertalk)

Lionel Messi‘s ‘shock’ move to the MLS had many questioning the player’s decision to move to a ‘farmers’ league’, as quoted by the fans. The World Cup winner and 8-time Ballon d’Or winner recently shed light on his move to the MLS and his motivation to play in the League. He admitted in an interview with StarPlus.com that he is aware of his move to a ‘lesser league’.

The Argentine said the same as part of a larger discussion surrounding his time with the national team. He added: 

I said it several times and it is a reality: I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can't. I am also aware that I went to a lesser league. A lot of this happens because of personal reasons and how one faces them and competes.
YouTube video

Meanwhile, Messi has assured the Argentina fans that he will continue to compete to the maximum and that he will be the first to know when he can and cannot. He said:

FS Video
As long as I'm fine and can contribute, I am going to represent the National team.

Even though the MLS ranks 16th in Global power rankings, Messi admitted that the hectic schedule and caliber of the league may affect his playing level for Argentina.

The Argentine will not take to the pitch again in 2023, as the latest game will be in February, as Inter Miami kicks off their preseason. The player has promised that he will at least keep playing at a ‘high level’ until the 2024 Copa America.

Lionel Messi ‘angered’ by Robert Lewandowski’s Ballon d’Or comments

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski closely contested the 2021 Ballon d’Or, as the Argentine lifted the trophy for a record 7th time. Lewandowski was not pleased with the same and expressed his disappointment multiple times. The Argentine, however, spoke calmly and said that the Pole was deserving of the same in 2020, in which it was ‘canceled’ due to COVID.

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski (Via X/@BarcaUniversal)

The reason for Messi’s ‘anger’ was Lewandowski’s decision to question the genuineness of his comments. Messi said, .

When I won the Ballon d'Or, I said what I really felt.

This was basically to re-iterate that Lewandowski’s response did bother him. Messi’s teammate Angel Di Maria said that even his grandmother could tell that Messi was ‘targeting’ Lewandowski on purpose. 

When you speak about him, he tries to do the talking on the pitch.

This was eventually proven right again, as Messi led Argentina to a historic World Cup victory in Qatar 2022.

Following the incident, the two met during the World Cup group stages in Qatar. However, Messi ‘ignored’ the player during the game and ‘deliberately’ dribbled past him to express his anger towards Lewandowski. The Argentine admitted the same during a recent interview with StarPlus.com, where he further added that the two talked things out after the game. He added that Lewandowski clarified that his comments were ‘misinterpreted’ and ‘misreported’ by the media.

In case you missed it: