What Messi's efforts to land this big fish could mean for Inter Miami, MLS

Modric spent a few years in England with Tottenham Hotspur at the beginning of his career, but he's been a central figure for Spanish side Real Madrid ever since. He has been content at Madrid, apparently untempted by big-money offers from clubs around the world. Modric has held his spot in the team's midfield despite challenges by talented young players such as Martin Ødegaard.

Times are changing, however, and Modric is changing, too. 

While he's still capable of delivering at the highest level, he is now 38, making him one of the oldest outfield players in the Champions League. He's getting fewer minutes at Madrid than he has in past seasons, leading many to wonder whether it is the right place for Modric to spend the twilight years of his career.

Lionel Messi is one of the many —  and he has some strong opinions on the subject.

According to ESPN, Messi believes Modric would be an excellent fit for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and the Argentine star is lobbying for owner David Beckham to free up cash to sign him.

While Messi and Modric have never played together, they faced off dozens of times in their younger years. While Modric was the talisman for Real Madrid, Messi was the talisman for Barcelona, Madrid's biggest rivals — and the two developed a healthy respect for one another.

They played against each other in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, a game won by Messi's Argentina.

"I hope Messi wins the World Cup," Modric said upon his defeat. "He is the best player in the world and he deserves it."

Modric's potential move brings positives and negatives for MLS. 

While it's wonderful for the league to acquire generational talents like Modric, his arrival at the age of 38 would do little to shake MLS' reputation as an unserious "retirement" league. As Inter Miami's recent results show, building teams around aging superstars is fraught with danger. One instance of "muscular fatigue," and you're back to running plays like this instead of challenging for titles:

Talks between Miami and Modric are said to be ongoing. The Croatian will be a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, but he could also make a move during Europe's January transfer window. Doing so would allow Madrid to recoup money for his sale and get Modric situated in Miami in time for the 2024 MLS season.

For his part, though, Modric is focusing on what's directly in front of him: succeeding at Real Madrid.

"I know there is a lot of competition in midfield, and the young players are elite level," he said of his team. "I am certain I can still play to the level that Madrid require."