Lionel Messi given MLS advice by Real Madrid legend

Stuart Telford

• 22 Jun 2023 15:25 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has been told he will enjoy the pressure - or lack thereof - in Major League Soccer by former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Messi will join David Beckham's Inter Miami on expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract at the end of June, with the club's merchandise sales reportedly having already seen a 4,500 per cent increase.

Bale was a recent import to MLS, joining LA Galaxy on a free from Real Madrid last June before hanging up his boots in January.

READ: How Inter Miami will line up with Messi and friends

Messi has already caused potential offence to his new employers by saying that the Ballon d'Or - an honour he has won a record seven times - "is no longer important" to him, and now Bale has suggested MLS is something of a retirement league.

Bales: 'A lot more chilled'

"It is a lot more chilled," Wales record cap-holder and goalscorer told BT Sport. "If you lose at Real Madrid, it is like the world has ended. You are crucified. You feel down. You go home and you're not happy.

"They accept losing a bit more [in MLS]. There is no consequence. You can't get relegated over there. When you lose a game you go onto the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there.

"They know how to lose but they celebrate every win like you have won the championship. He will definitely enjoy it."

READ: Messi, Busquets and? Inter Miami boss teases stunning TRIPLE transfer

Even if there is no 'pro/rel' in MLS, Inter are currently rock-bottom of the Easter Conference standings with just five wins from their 17 games - a run of form that cost Beckham's former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville his job as manager.

Messi has stated that his aim this season is to help the Florida-based club to at least reach the play-offs, and Inter are set to strengthen the squad further to that end.

Messi's former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets will join as another Designates player, whilst it is understood that Barca left-back Jordi Alba is in discussions about completing a Blaugrana reunion at the DRV PNK Stadium.