Lionel Messi is yet to officially join Inter Miami but the Argentine icon has already been given a brutal assessment of life in Major League Soccer.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had been dominating the transfer headlines for the past few months after it became clear he would be leaving PSG. A return to Barcelona was heavily touted while a billion-dollar transfer to Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal was also mentioned.
However, the 35-year-old ultimately agreed to join Inter Miami, the MLS franchise co-owned by David Beckham that have been pursuing the 2022 World Cup winner for years. This move sparked controversy, with some slamming Barcelona for failing to bring La Pulga back to the Camp Nou while other mocked Messi for leaving Europe at the age of 35.
Gareth Bale has now entered this conversation but instead opted to hand the South American a piece of advice on life in the North American top flight. Just like Messi, the Welshman moved to the MLS, albeit LA Galaxy, after leaving a European giant (Real Madrid) for free.
The former Blancos attacker spent a year in the North American top flight and thus has perspective on the upsides and downsides. However, Bale's assessment of Major League Soccer was anything but flattering, labeling it a "chilled" competition were losing is accepted and where there are no consequences for failure.
"It's a lot more chilled," Bale told BT Sport.
Gareth Bale on Lionel Messi's adjustment to MLS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 21, 2023
'They accept losing a lot better over there, they know how to lose, but when they win they celebrate like they've won the championship—he'll definitely enjoy it'
(via @btsportfootball) pic.twitter.com/B1kh154pMW
"If you lose at Madrid, it's like the world's ended. You were crucified, you feel down, you go home, you're not happy.
"They kind of accept losing a bit more and I think there's no consequence, you can't get relegated. You just lose the game, you go to the next one."
Fortunately for Messi, one of Bale's points is undeniably true and that is the lack of relegation. Leo will be joining Inter Miami but the Herons are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference table.
However, it should be noted that Phil Neville was recently sacked by the club due to their horrible start to the season. Things haven't improved for the club under the helm of interim boss Javier Morales. The club are on a six-game losing streak and have not won in the league since mid-May.
Meanwhile, Messi, despite his disappointing campaign with PSG last season as a collective, has shown that he can still deliver. Only time will tell if he can turn Inter Miami's fortunes around.
