Ashley Westwood: Former Burnley midfielder hails impact of Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer
Ashley Westwood hopes his former manager Vincent Kompany is rewarded in the Premier League with Burnley for his relentless managerial work ethic; Watch Nottingham Forest vs Burnley live on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football from 6.30pm; kick-off 7.45pm
By Joe Tanner
Thursday 14 September 2023 17:52, UK
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Ashley Westwood says Lionel Messi’s impact in Major League Soccer has been “incredible” and believes enthusiasm for the sport in the USA is growing beyond expectation following his move to Charlotte FC.
The 33-year-old midfielder came up against Messi's Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup quarter-final in August where the Argentina international found the net in a 4-0 win, one of the 11 goals in 11 matches he has registered since his arrival in the Sunshine State.
Messi, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, helped David Beckham's club to win that competition and also to an Open Cup final, underlining the hype and excitement that accompanied his signing in the summer transfer window.
Westwood told Sky Sports: «The whole thing he's brought to the MLS has been incredible, I've played against some unbelievable players in the Premier League but even at his age he's still the greatest I've ever faced.
»Sergio Busquets in midfield as well, he just sees things that others don't. Without Busquets, I think Messi would find it a little bit harder but he's got Busquets in midfield to find him with every pass.
«To play against him was a real honour but he got the best of us so hopefully we'll do a job when he comes to us!»
Charlotte were founded as an MLS club just three years ago by businessman and Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and they groundshare with the NFL side
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