Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham believes that Lionel Messi will need time to adapt to Major League Soccer (MLS), even though the standard of play is at a “different level” when compared to the European game.
Beckham watched Messi take part in his first training session for the club on Tuesday after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.
“Leo’s still going to need, no matter how good he is, no matter what his stature is, he and Sergio are going to need time to adapt no matter,” said the Englishman.
“They might surprise us, we might start winning every single game, but we have to be patient,” he said.
Miami’s fans may need to show that patience at Friday’s Leagues Cup game against Mexicans Cruz Azul, with Beckham saying the Argentine may not necessarily start.
“Leo will play some part of the game but that will be down to the coach (and) it’ll be down to Leo to decide if he’s ready because we know that he’s been away for a few weeks with his family but he looks sharp, he looks great but he’s going to need time to adapt as well,” said David Beckham.
Also Read: WATCH Lionel Messi & Sergio Busquets LIGHT up first Inter Miami Training
While the standard of MLS is still well below that of the top leagues in Europe, where Messi has spent his entire club career, several foreign players who joined the league late in their careers have found it difficult to thrive.
The frequent travel across time zones, playing on artificial surfaces at some stadiums, and having teammates who might not be on the same wavelength or have the expected technical ability are some of the challenges players have faced.
Beckham does not doubt that Messi will be a success but accepts that his impact on the field might not be as instant as some may be anticipating.
“It’s a different style of football, it’s a slightly different level to what obviously some of the players that are coming in are used to,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, this level of football in this country now is a good level, it’s a great level, so there are going to be moments where we have to be patient,” he said.
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