MLS commissioner Garber urges patience after Messi's arrival

Lionel Messi’s MLS arrival requires patience, says league commissioner Don Garber, as his Inter Miami face the real possibility of missing the playoffs

  • Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sit 12 points adrift of the postseason in MLS
  • But Don Garber is not fazed about the standings this year – or beyond
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

MLS commissioner Don Garber is not fretting over Inter Miami’s playoff status as the league faces the possibility of a postseason without its newest star.

Lionel Messi’s club has struggled mightily without him to this point in 2023, and sits last in the Eastern Conference with just 12 matches remaining.

Nonetheless, Garber will not be judging Messi’s arrival on immediate results, as he’s no stranger to blockbuster moves taking time to work out. 

‘I lived through what was a five-year experience with David Beckham… the beginning wasn’t easy for anyone,’ Garber said of Inter Miami’s co-owner, who played for the LA Galaxy.

‘He was injured, the team struggled, and then it worked out pretty well with two championships. So this [Messi] signing is a summer window signing, so that the team obviously has gotta figure it all out, and is doing that in real time.

Lionel Messi is in line to play in some capacity against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup

But Don Garber believes the move should not be viewed through a short-term lens

‘I don’t believe that anyone is looking at it in the short term, they’re looking at it over two-and-a-half years that Lionel Messi will be in the league,’ he continued. 

Miami is currently 12 points behind the last postseason spot – Wayne Rooney’s DC United in 9th place.

And while tough home dates vs. Cincinnati and Nashville remain – as well as a trip to LAFC – it’d be foolish to rule out a group with Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and possibly Luis Suarez.

Regardless, Garber is not fazed by the standings this season – or even beyond.

‘I will say that [Miami winning] is not going to be something that’s gonna determine in my opinion whether this was successful or not,’ he said.

‘Teams have to do whatever they need to do to win. Leagues are agnostic as to that. People might not agree with that but we are. We just want our teams to be really really valuable locally to their fans, a great in stadium experience, being able to be connected to the community. ‘ 

Messi was unveiled at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, with David Beckham (right) in attendance

‘Winning is part of that but winning is not the only strategy that clubs need to have in order to be successful.’

It took Beckham four seasons to lift MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy. He started just two matches in 2007 after arriving that summer, and was booed two years later after missing half of the MLS season on loan with AC Milan.

It’s hard to imagine Messi getting the same treatment in South Beach, but it could certainly take time transforming his side from bottom-dwellers to contenders.

He’ll have a chance to hit the ground running in his expected debut vs. Cruz Azul on Friday. 

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