“We will try to be the bad guys in Messi’s MLS story” – FC Dallas coach warns ‘favorites’ Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 

Lionel Messi has made a mesmerizing start to life at Inter Miami, but FC Dallas boss Nicolas Estevez wants his side to play spoilsport.

The Hoops could do so when they clash with Messi's Herons side on Sunday (August 6) at the Toyota Stadium in the last 16 of the Leagues Cup clash. Dallas boss has acknowledged that any team that Lionel Messi is playing starts as the favorites (via AS):

“Pep Guardiola has already made it clear. The team with Lionel Messi is always the favorite."

Messi has hit the ground running at the DRV PNK Stadium, bagging five goals and an assist in three appearances. He managed a brilliant brace last time out against Orlando City in a 3-1 win.

However, Estevez wants Dallas to play the role of the villain in the Argentine icon's story in the MLS:

“We will try to be the bad guys in Messi’s Major League Soccer story."

Inter Miami were in dreadful form before Messi's arrival this summer. They have now won three straight games and are emerging as the favorites to win the Leagues Cup.

The Herons will take on a Dallas side that beat Matzalan 2-1 in the Round of 32. Messi and Co. will be eager to take another step towards the Leagues Cup final on Sunday night.

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Lionel Messi has been channeling superheroes at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has hit the ground running.

There was no better way for Lionel Messi to kickstart his Inter Miami career than how his debut has panned out. He came off the bench and netted a stoppage-time free-kick winner.

Messi then followed that up with a delightful double in the 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United. There, he Argentine legend celebrated in a nod to Marvel superhero Thor. He reached his hand out towards Herons co-owner David Beckham as he posed like the God of Thunder.

The legendary forward was at his best once again in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Orlando. Messi was the man of the moment, as his brace set Gerardo Martino's men on their way to an impressive win at the DRV PNK Stadium.

Messi celebrated one of his two goals in that win by pulling off Black Panther's Wakanda Forever pose in what has been a dream start to life for the Argentine icon in the MLS.