Inter Miami: Wayne Rooney Sends Warning to Lionel Messi Ahead of MLS Debut

Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney - FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2011

(Photo : Scott Heavey/Getty Images)) ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - Lionel Messi of Barcelona (L) with Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2011 on January 9, 2012 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Lionel Messi's time in the MLS will not be a bed full of roses, according to Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.

The 37-year-old said everything is already set for Messi, as some of his best buddies Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Andres Iniesta, are rumored to be following him in South Florida, while the club has officially unveiled Sergio Busquets.

However, the current manager of MLS club DC United thinks that Messi will still have difficulties adjusting to the pace of the American side of the sport.

"He won't find it easy here. It sounds mad, but players who come in find it's a tough league. The travelling, the different conditions in different cities, and there's a lot of energy and intensity on the pitch," Rooney said.

Rooney most notably played for the red side of Manchester from 2004 to 2017, and he is the club's all-time leading goalscorer. He has managed DC United since July 2022.

Lionel Messi presented today

Inter Miami's biggest signing in club history was presented at the DRV PNK Stadium today, and a flock of fans came despite the heavy storms in the area, causing the event to be delayed.

Messi, clad in full Inter Miami kit, has met with club co-owner David Beckham ahead of the event.

A fan hilariously brought a real goat into the stadium premises as a nod to Messi's Greatest Of All-Time status in the sport.