Lionel Messi let loose the wizard in him when Inter Miami played Sporting KC at a jam-packed Arrowhead Stadium. A defense-penetrating pass came from his left foot for Diego Gomez to equalize in the first half. Thereafter, Messi unleashed a screamer from outside the penalty box to shake KC’s net. Hence, it was a Messi show in Kansas City in their own home. Patrick Mahomes, who was in the crowd, said the Argentine exhibited a peak of professionalism that night. However, a couple of ex-MLS players wonder why the Argentinefailed to deliver similarly in the far more crucial CONCACAF game against Monterrey.

Lionel Messi missed Miami’s first leg QF against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. He misfired in the second leg, which saw Monterrey win 3-1 and cruise to the semi-finals.

Lionel Messi called out for not mirroring his MLS form in the Monterrey tie

The latest episode of ESPN FC’s Futbol Americas podcast covered Lionel Messi’s game-winning show against Sporting KC. Seconds into the show, ex-MLS star Herculez Gomez lamented at Messi’s lackluster against Monterrey. “It’s three days too late is my first initial reaction,” said Gomez, referring to the Miami-KC game. “Yes, where was this when it mattered? Where was this against Rayados?,” said co-host Sebastian Salazar. Then, Gomez intervened with a mockery of Leo Messi and Co. “We see Messi and friends play in Major League Soccer. They look like the Harlem Globetrotters. Guess what the opposition looks like then? The Washington Generals,” Gomez added.

Herculez Gomez compared the MLS games to a non-pro basketball exhibition game because the former is a walk in the park compared to facing a hostile CCC powerhouse like Monterrey on the road. He expected Monterrey’s hostility would infuriate Lionel Messi so much that the Mexican side would topple in his anger. Later on, Seb Salazar laid bare the challenges that could potentially haunt Inter Miami in the latter part of the ongoing MLS season.

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Injuries and struggles against better teams could mar Messi and Inter Miami’s MLS run

Building up on Gomez’s Globetrotters-Generals analogy, Salazar said Sporting KC is not a strong team that can challenge Inter Miami. He then said it was alarming that Jordi Alba picked up a possible muscle injury during the KC tie. Thereafter, the ESPN host blamed Lionel Messi and Co.’s elaborate cross-continental pre-season tour for the players’ recurring injury woes.

Salazar added that the game will get tougher for the Herons if they head to the playoffs. He said the playoffs would feature teams that are far stronger than the Kansas City side. Hence, the Colombian predicted that the injury woes and Miami’s struggles against big teams such as Monterrey would come to haunt them in the postseason. Therefore, La Pulga’s masterclass and eventual win against Sporting is just a breather in an otherwise bumpy ride that requires immediate improvement. What do you make of the criticism that came that has come the World Cup winner’s way? Do you agree with it? Let us know in the comments section below.