Former idol predicts Messi’s impact greater than Pelé and Beckham in the US

the former player Diego Valeriwho played briefly with Lionel Messi in the Argentine national team, said this Friday, in an interview with EFE Agency, that the impact of the star’s arrival at Inter Miami and the MLS will surpass those of Pelé and David Beckham in football in the United States.

“There is no point of comparison, it will be unique,” he said.

One of the greatest names in Portland Timbers history, Valeri played with Messi for Argentina’s under-20 team and in friendlies leading up to the 2011 Copa America.

He also faced the number 10 when he passed through Almería and suffered with Barcelona led at the time by Josep Guardiola, who applied a ruthless 8-0 thrashing in 2010, with three goals from the star.

“He played at a level I had never seen,” he acknowledged.

Valeri believes that Inter Miami and MLS will give Messi a love he didn’t receive during his time at Paris Saint-Germain and that, on a sporting level, US football will allow him to reach a high competitive level in the 2024 Copa America and in the 2026 World Cup – which will be played in that country and also in Canada and Mexico.

Currently an MLS commentator on “Apple TV”, Valeri recalled his personal experience with Messi and argued why signing Inter Miami could change the history of “soccer”.

Check the interview

EFE: The signing of Messi is a historic moment for American football. Do you think it can be compared with Pelé’s arrival at the New York Cosmos, in the (former league) NASL or Beckham’s arrival at the Los Angeles Galaxy?

Valeri: For me there is no point of comparison, this is going to be unique. It will be a unique moment in MLS. We are talking about the best player in history and at a time when the league has a different structure than in other eras. He is a player who is world champion, who chooses to come, who chooses to project himself. The agreement with Apple will project US football worldwide. Come the World Cup, the Copa America, there are many things for which this will be unique and incomparable. It will be unique and has no point of comparison.

EFE: You played with Messi in the Argentina national team. How is your relationship with him and what impacted you on his game?

Valeri: For me, the most special thing was sharing the pre-season of the Copa América (2011), having him so close, being able to share a training session in a small space, seeing how he controlled the ball. I could appreciate these details. I was very surprised how he carried the ball so close to his foot, and to make a pass he didn’t hit the ball, he slid it, because he has a lot of strength. It’s little things that we appreciate seeing up close. We are talking about history.

EFE: You also faced him during your time at Almeria.

Valeri: Yes, I faced him for Almería, when I had to play that game in which we conceded eight 8 goals against Barcelona. That day they gave us a ball, the truth is that he was playing at a level we had never seen.

EFE: What made you happiest with Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami?

Valeri: As an Argentinian, what makes me the happiest is that he said that this was his choice, and that he and his family decided this. I think he is making a very smart decision, he announced it in a very simple way, as he is, as is his family and surroundings. Listening to him, I was mobilized by that inner child of wanting to see him play and enjoy so closely.

EFE: Why do you think you chose the MLS?

Valeri: He sees a competitive championship, a championship and a space where he can come and enjoy his profession. He wants to enjoy this moment of life, with his family, and he chose the place that felt right. He’s talking about what MLS is and that, in front of the Copa America and the World Cup, he sees a competitive space.

EFE: In Paris he didn’t have the affection that Miami can give?

Valeri: Love is already making itself felt, and it hasn’t arrived yet. It is everyone’s job to find that place of pleasure. A big difference you can find is that feeling of gratitude that maybe in France, after a while, you didn’t realize. This here will happen and will be sustained over time, I don’t think it’s just because of the novelty. The United States will prove it to him, not only for what he represents in the history of football, but because he is an example of professionalism and a person.