Lionel Scaloni says MLS is ‘on trend’ as Argentina open training base in Miami

The manager of the Argentine national team, Lionel Scaloni, has rejected the idea that Major League Soccer it lacks quality.

Scaloni was in Miami for the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) official announcement regarding their planned North American expansion. The 45-year-old World Cup-winning coach attended Inter MiamiLast win 4-0 vs Charlotte FCwhich qualified Lionel Messithe team for the semi-finals of the League Cup.

At Scaloni’s availability to the assembled media, one reporter commented that MLS lacks the quality that Argentinians are used to and questioned the league’s competitiveness. “Inter Miami went from losing games by more than two or three goals to winning games by the same margin,” the reporter noted, citing Messi’s immediate impact. The reporter pondered what MLS would need to do to potentially compete in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club tournament.

“I don’t think the level (in MLS) is bad,” Scaloni said. “On the contrary, I was at the Inter Miami game against Charlotte (FC) and I didn’t think it was bad. Actually the level was acceptable. Every football match is difficult. You have to play them. There is no doubt that (MLS) is a league that is trending. It is improving and attracting footballers to come and play here. It is a place that is also attractive. But I can see the challenges MLS presents and I’ve seen good teams here. I know this league will continue to improve. There are some very good players here and even better players will get here.”

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The president of the ALF, Klaudia Tapia, was also present at the session. Tapia mentioned the number of Argentine players playing in MLS, including Atlanta UnitedS ‘ Thiago Almadawho was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup squad.

“There are also Argentina U-20 players here like (Facundo) Farías, Tomas Avilés and others that will continue to add competition to the league,” said Tapia. “We are happy about all this because we will continue to do what we do best: exporting the product of Argentine football.”

The AFA executive praised the Leagues Cup, saying he believes it is a strategic way for MLS teams to test their quality against Liga MX’s more established clubs. Regarding Messi in MLS, Tapia reluctantly compared Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami to the frenzy and competitive turnaround Napoli experienced when the Serie A side signed Diego Maradona in 1984. Messi has scored nine goals in six League Cup games.

Inter Miami will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the region’s equivalent of one Champions Leaguewith a win over Philadelphia Union tonight or if they triumph in the League Cup tie for third place.

“Sometimes things are misinterpreted when it comes to discussing what is competent and what is not.” I’m not making a comparison, because I shouldn’t, but when Diego (Maradona) went to Napoli, they weren’t the club they are today. They had not won a single title in their history. They ended up winning everything. That is why what is most important is that (Messi) is here competing. That he can be himself. And just look at what it has produced.”

(Photo: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)