Lionel Messi’s ex-Barcelona teammate Riqui Puiq warns him ‘resting well is very difficult’ in MLS

A year after making his headline grabbing move from Barcelona to the LA Galaxy, Riqui Puig delivered a message to his former teammate Lionel Messi who is drawing ever closer to his own MLS debut.

Puig made his professional debut for Barcelona back during the 2018-19 season when Messi donned the captain’s armband for the Catalonia based team.

Fast forward to 2023, Puig has become one of the best young players in the MLS – he currently leads the league in completed passes – and Messi is hoping to make his debut for the Inter Miami on July 21 against Cruz Azul. 

But Puig had a word of warning for Messi about one thing he won’t be used to in MLS.

‘The thing I dislike is the trips and the time changes,’ Puig told Spanish publication AS. ‘I think that for a player sometimes resting well is very difficult, that’s one of the things that have been difficult for me to adapt to.’ 

Puig and Messi were teammates years ago when the two both played for Barcelona in Spain

Messi recently played in a tribute match to one of his Argentina international teammates 

Puig would also go on to speak about Sergio Busquets becoming the next former Barca member to make the jump to Miami. 

‘I think it is a league with a great future. Now that Leo [Messi] and [Sergio] Busquets have arrived… I think they can give a lot to this league and the league can give them a lot,’ Puig said.

‘I think it’s a spectacular place to learn, or to finish the great careers that they have. I’m very happy for them. I have been able to speak with Busi and he is very happy’.

‘What I liked the most is that there is a high level in this league because all the teams can beat anyone and it is a league where there is a lot of competition.’

Inter Miami president Jorge Mas also confirmed that the team has held discussions with Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez over becoming the next ex-members of the La Liga giants to take their talents to South Beach.

Sergio Ramos has also been linked with signing with Inter Miami.

Although he – much like the rest of the world’s soccer fans – seems to be eagerly awaiting the debut of Messi and whichever other former LaLiga stars make their way to Miami, Puig’s current focus is on LA’s highly anticipated Fourth of July matchup against local rival LAFC.

Sergio Busquets, who enjoyed much success at Barcelona, and Messi may re-unit in Miami

Luis Suarez has and Jordi Alba have also been linked with moves to joining Inter Miami 

 Miami are said to be closing in on a stunning move to sign the defender Sergio Ramos as well

The Independence Day version of the matchup dubbed as ‘El Traffico’ is expected draw a crowd of more than 80,000 fans to the Rose Bowl.

‘The truth is that it’s always a very important game for the Galaxy’, Riqui Puig said.

‘As a player, I have seen that it is one of the most important matches in MLS and the truth is that I am really looking forward to facing the new challenge.’

‘The Galaxy have been here for many years and now there is another team in the city to make this big rivalry. I’m really looking forward to the game and to see if the team can get three much-needed points.’