MLS: It won’t be easy – Rooney warns Messi about Inter Miami move

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has warned Lionel Messi that playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) will not be “easy” for him.

Messi confirmed this week that he is joining Inter Miami as a free agent.

Rooney, who is currently in charge of DC United, is hoping that the 35-year-old’s MLS debut could come against his side.

Messi is expected to fly to Florida in early July. It remains to be seen whether he will be thrown straight in by a struggling side crying out for inspiration.

Inter Miami are due to face DC United in Washington on July 8.

Rooney told reporters: “It’d be nice if we were his first opponents for D.C. fans to see him up close and for us to challenge ourselves against him.

“One thing I will say is that it’s not going to be easy for him. The league’s a difficult league, and I don’t think he’s going to come over here and absolutely tear it up immediately.

“He’ll have to adapt because it’s a bit different; it won’t be an easy ride for him.”