"My initial reaction? Three days too late" - Pundit critical of Lionel Messi despite his 'prime Barcelona' performance in 3-2 Inter Miami win

ESPN pundit Herculez Gomez has criticized Lionel Messi despite the Inter Miami superstar's outstanding performance to lead his side to a 3-2 win against Sporting KC (April 13).

Lionel Messi was back to his brilliant best on Saturday. He provided a phenomenal assist and scored a screamer from distance in front of over 70,000 away fans. The Argentine ace was given a high rating of 8.9 (via FotMob), winning seven duels and creating an additional big chance as well.

Messi's feats helped Inter Miami climb to the summit of the MLS Eastern Conference standings. They are currently first with 15 points from nine games, ahead of NY Red Bulls on goal difference.

Despite his heroics, Gomez focused on Messi's shortcomings three days prior in Inter Miami's 3-1 defeat to Monterrey in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals. The 36-year-old did provide an assist but had a relatively poor game, failing to land a shot on target in three attempts. The Herons were eliminated from the tournament, losing 5-2 on aggregate.

Gomez said (via Inter Miami News):

“It’s three days too late. We see Messi and friends play in MLS and they look like the Harlem Globetrotters. Guess what the opposition looks like then? The Washington Generals."

He added:

“You go from playing against Rayados [Monterrey] who in CONCACAF is star-studded in their house where the fans were hostile, and I thought we were going to see the angry Messi and for him to show up, but he sure did in this game [vs Sporting Kansas City]."

“We got prime Barcelona Messi, but my initial reaction? Three days too late.”

Lionel Messi has made a strong start to the new season, netting seven goals and providing four assists in eight appearances across all competitions.

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"He’s one of the most popular players” - Hong Kong official makes interesting Cristiano Ronaldo claim following Lionel Messi & Inter Miami drama during pre-season

Hong Kong FA president Pui Kwan-kay has admitted that he would be open to hosting Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr sometime in the future. His comments come months after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami left fans in Hong Kong infuriated during the summer of 2023.

The Herons traveled to Hong Kong as a part of their pre-season tour last summer. Despite being advertised to feature in a friendly against the Hong Kong XI, Messi was named on the bench and not risked due to an injury.

This decision led to nationwide outrage against Inter Miami. It now appears that the Hong Kong FA have switched their focus on Lionel Messi's rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. Kwan-kay told the South China Morning Post (via Inter Miami News):

“I don’t know if Al Nassr are returning to China, but [bringing Ronaldo to Hong Kong] is a good idea because he’s one of the most popular players.”

Inter Miami will next be back in action against Nashville in the MLS on Saturday, April 20.