As Messi prepares for this new chapter, he has received some advice from a familiar face, Gareth Bale.
Bale, the former LAFC star who retired from football in January, spent eight months in MLS after his departure from Real Madrid. He has backed Messi to enjoy his time in the States, describing the league as a ‘lot more chilled’ than the elite European leagues.
In a recent interview with BT Sport, Bale shared, “If you lose at Real Madrid, it is like the world has ended. You are crucified. You feel down. You go home and you’re not happy. They accept losing a bit more in the MLS. There is no consequence. You can’t get relegated over there. When you lose a game you go on to the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there.”
Bale, who made a similar move in 2022 when his Real Madrid contract ended, joined LAFC midway through the MLS season. His contribution was instrumental in helping the club secure the rare Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup double.
Messi, on the other hand, rejected the opportunity to return to his former club Barcelona and a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia. Instead, he chose to embark on a new challenge in North America.
Messi is expected to take a short vacation and spend some time in Argentina before making his potential debut next month.
In the words of Bale, “They know how to lose but they celebrate every win like you have won the championship. He will definitely enjoy it.” Only time will tell how Messi’s journey in the MLS unfolds.
