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DC United coach Rooney: Messi won't get easy ride at Messi

DC United coach Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Lionel Messi will dominate with Inter Miami in MLS.

Miami chose to join Inter Miami over a return to Barcelona.

"It'd be nice if we were his first opponents for DC fans to see him up close and for us to challenge ourselves against him. One thing I will say - it's not going to be easy for him," Rooney told beIN SPORTS.

"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.

"I think it's great, to bring Messi into the league. We've all seen, over the years, the impact of [Inter Miami co-owner] David Beckham coming in, [former LA Galaxy striker] Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] coming in. Different players from overseas.

"To get Messi in the league, arguably the greatest player of all time, and still - he's a little bit older - but not long ago he won the World Cup almost single handed. It's going to be great for the league, for Miami."

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