Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has revealed he has learned a lot about the NFL after moving to the United States.
Messi is known worldwide as one of the greatest players to ever play football, but the Argentine superstar has revealed that he is also inspired by other sports.
The World Cup winner said moving to the United States has led to a renewed interest in rugby and has no qualms about following and learning about the popular American sport alongside a number of other sports.
Messi told the Big Time Podcast about his favourite sports: “Tennis, padel, basketball and rugby. I’m learning a lot about rugby and the NFL, understanding it better and loving it.”
Lionel Messi is watching and learning from American football.
Messi’s presence at Inter Miami has attracted a number of celebrities and stars from the tennis and football worlds to MLS. Tennis stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa were given Messi jerseys after visiting the club, while NFL players Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase were spotted wearing FC Cincinnati jerseys when Messi played for Inter Miami last season.
Messi’s arrival in the US has attracted more than 1 million people to watch matches in Miami, numbers that only the NFL and basketball can do in the land of the stars and stripes.
Messi is currently out injured and has missed Argentina’s games against Costa Rica and El Salvador during the international break. The former Barca man is expected to return for Inter Miami’s Champions Cup clash with Monterrey on April 3.
In addition to his MLS goals, Messi will also join the Argentina national team in the 2024 Copa America with the goal of defending the championship title in June.
