A Major League Soccer coach has shockingly claimed that Lionel Messi should get favourable treatment from the referees in the division.
Messi's arrival in the United States is anticipated to be the league's biggest event since David Beckham's iconic transfer to LA Galaxy in 2007.
The move is understood to carry significant weight from a commercial standpoint, as multiple big-name brands such as Apple have also come on board, agreeing to give a portion of their tv rights revenue from the MLS to the Argentine superstar.
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A meaningful impact is also expected on the pitch, as some have suggested that the US topflight has acquired one of the most gifted footballers since Pele joined New York Cosmos in 1975.
An MLS coach has now claimed that the seven-time Ballon d'Or should receive preferential treatment from referees due to his world-renowned status as a football great.
The anonymous manager told The Athletic: "He should get the [Michael] Jordan treatment. [He] should get every single call."
The 'Jordan treatment' refers to the alleged favourable backing the NBA icon received in basketball during his time with the Chicago Bulls.
Former MLS referee Robert Sibiga has also since revealed that there were calls to offer the same treatment to both Beckham and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic when they joined the league, after becoming targets for their opponents.
"This is not the level of David Beckham, or Zlatan," said Sibiga explained.
"This is a different level. As referees, the last thing you want to be is to be seen screwing up the game or allowing players who have way less talent and experience to do something to a player like Lionel Messi."
Messi is reportedly set to make his debut for Inter Miami against Mexican giants Cruz Azul on 21 July.
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