With Lionel Messi joining MLS, 'Circle it on the calendar,' Crew's Sean Zawadzki says
With a game and a half worth of experience on the Crew's back line, Sean Zawadzki is still learning plenty about his new, likely temporary, position. A central midfielder by trade, Zawadzki spent Saturday as one of the Crew’s three center backs in coach Wilfried Nancy’s three-man defensive unit.
It’s a growing process, and Zawadzki was culpable on a Charlotte FC goal that was disallowed, but overall the patchwork lineup worked against a team that ranks 11th in MLS with 22 goals and helped the Crew earn a 4-2 win.
Now, what could that look like against a player like, say, Lionel Messi?
We might find out, although the Crew could have to wait longer than others. With the all-time legend set to sign with Inter Miami, giving the league its latest, greatest international superstar signing, the possibility is there: Could the Crew find itself tasked with stopping “The Flea?”
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Miami has already played in Columbus this season, but the thought of MLS adding a player of his stature is exciting for the 23-year-old Zawadzki now in his second season with the Crew.
“I think it’s really, really good for the league in general,” Zawadzki said. “To have someone (like) Messi, well-known all over the place, one of if not the greatest soccer player of all time, and for him to join the league and be competition, it’s tremendous and something you really look forward to. Circle it on the calendar all the time. Everyone amongst the league will definitely be keying in on that game, for sure.”
It’s not clear when a deal to bring Messi to MLS would be finalized or when he might first suit up in the United States’ top soccer league. His contract with France’s Paris Saint-Germain expires June 30, and while the Crew plays at Miami on July 4 it’s unlikely Messi would be with the team so quickly.
That is, assuming it still all falls into place for MLS. Barcelona has been listed as a candidate to land him as well, and it’s why Nancy was reluctant to discuss the possibility of having to plan for Messi just yet.
“I’m going to propose to you next week, when he’s (maybe) going to be signed, that you ask me about this,” he said. “For the moment, I don’t like to comment about the rumors. No problem to discuss about it if Messi comes.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Could the Columbus Crew have to prepare to face Lionel Messi?
