"I wouldn't advise anyone to go to Miami, at least not while Messi is still there. The team is a disaster," Klich said on Foot Truck. "Staff are leaving, from the coaching staff to the medical professionals. The club is poorly organized. Messi's father basically runs the team; nothing gets decided without their approval. Everyone speaks Spanish. The club is also nearly an hour's drive from downtown Miami."

Messi during Inter Miami's victory over Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in the second round of Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup on 19/6/2025. Photo: *Reuters*

The 35-year-old Klich played for Leeds United from 2017 to 2023 and was a key player under coach Marcelo Bielsa. After leaving England, he played for DC United and Atlanta United in the US, giving him the opportunity to face Messi and Inter Miami. However, Klich's experiences in MLS have left him unimpressed with the Argentinian superstar's team.

According to Klich, the presence of Messi and his family has turned Inter Miami into an insular domain, where all activities revolve around the 38-year-old forward. He believes this makes the soccer environment restrictive and unprofessional.

Of Inter Miami's 26 players, 10 are Argentinian, twice the number of American players. 69% of the players come from countries where the official language is Spanish. Coach Javier Mascherano is also Argentinian, a former teammate of Messi's at Barcelona from 2010 to 2018.

Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has made a significant impact on the field. He has played 76 games, scored 64 goals, and provided 21 assists, helping the club, founded in 2018, win its first titles. Inter Miami is currently co-owned by David Beckham and the family of billionaire Jorge Mas.

Instead of Inter Miami, Klich recommends players choose other MLS clubs. He praises the New York Red Bulls for their modern stadium, while New York City FC is building its own. Columbus Crew and Cincinnati have good facilities but life is "very boring" there, while Nashville SC is particularly praised by Klich for having both a developing soccer environment and a beautiful city. He also mentions the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders with their enthusiastic atmosphere, though he calls them "the end of the world."

Hoang An (*Daily Mail*)