Lionel Messi tipped to symbolize second staff after becoming a member of Inter Miami in MLS

Lionel Messi is perhaps on his strategy to the USA for a brand new journey in Major League Soccer however there may be nonetheless an opportunity that he might return to kicking a ball round Barcelona within the close to future. That’s as a result of former teammate Sergio Aguero is making an attempt to persuade the Argentina captain to play for his seven-a-side Kings League staff.

The ex-Manchester City legend is the chairman of Kunisports, who compete alongside 11 different groups within the weird Barcelona-based soccer league that was based by former Nou Camp defender Gerard Pique and Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos final December.

If one among soccer’s all-time best gamers fancies making an attempt his hand at one thing a bit uncommon, he will not go too far fallacious with the Kings League.

Quirks of the enjoyable match embody ‘golden playing cards’ which give groups benefits earlier than kick-off, equivalent to taking an opposition participant out of the sport for 2 minutes. And if Messi thinks it is for him, he’ll stumble upon loads of acquainted faces, together with the likes of Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo and Iker Casillas.

Any objectives scored within the first two minutes of the second half depend for double and if that wasn’t bizarre sufficient, an enormous cube is rolled simply earlier than half-time to resolve what number of gamers every staff can play with till the interval.

It’s not simply former professionals who’re getting concerned both. Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has performed when his schedule permits, elevating hopes that Inter Miami’s new star participant might get in some Kings League minutes on the finish of the MLS season.

On the prospect of Barcelona’s all-time document goalscorer signing up for the motion, Aguero informed ESPN: “We haven’t spoken about it. I think it’s a little complicated at the moment with the schedule, but I hope one day he can play for us.

“Many stars have performed and extra wish to come. We’ve seen Chicharito, Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Shevchenko, and Casillas play for among the different groups. There are a number of gamers eager [to play for Kunisports], however clearly, with the timing and the distances concerned, it isn’t been potential for lots of them, however there are a lot of ex-players interested by taking part in. It’s only a case of discovering the dates.”

For now, Messi will be solely focused on his arrival in Miami and getting started on turning the club’s fortunes around. But once the season is done and dusted the possibility remains that he could follow the lead of Mexican forward Hernandez.

Far from just a gimmick, the Kings League has a huge following, with over five million viewers racked up on matchday seven across YouTube and Twitch. Games are played weekly in the regular season before eight of the 12 team advance to the playoffs.

The Final Four stage was held for the first time in March in a practically full Nou Camp stadium, further demonstrating its huge appeal.

Aguero added: “It’s totally different to how I skilled the sport as knowledgeable. It’s extra about having enjoyable and entertaining folks. There are the novelty playing cards and we placed on a little bit of a present to entertain. It’s very totally different to conventional soccer.”