Messi(in') around

 Thirty or so years ago, right here in my hometown, there was this local sportscaster. His name was Greg. Greg had this bit.

The bit was, he'd take on various locals in various sporting events they'd become good at. The bit was called "I Challenge Greg." And sometimes the locals who challenged Greg were kids.

Which occasionally led to the spectacle of Greg, a grown-ass man, beating little kids at, I don't know, ping-pong or something. (Although sometimes the kids won).

Anyway, I'm reminded of all this every time I watch clips of Lionel "Leo" Messi, in the hot pink of Inter Miami of MLS, playing soccer in America.

The Argentine soccer god couldn't make a deal work with his European club Barcelona, so he decided to come to America to play in MLS. You would be correct in assuming this is essentially a retirement gig for him -- although Messi, now 36, is far too classy to say so.

Watching even an aging Messi toy with the competition here, however, it's impossible not to think that. Or, for me, not to think of Greg vs. some kid.

Messi has only played eight games for Inter Miami and he's already scored 10 goals and assisted on three others. Two of those assists came last night, as Inter Miami beat Cincinnati FC -- the top team in MLS this season -- to reach the U.S, Open Cup final against Houston.

If Messi and Inter Miami win there, it will be their second championship of the season. They won the Leagues Cup last weekend by beating Nashville FC on penalties. Ahead lies the MLS Cup, for which Inter Miami can qualify by reaching ninth in the standings. They're currently dead last in 15th.

Of course, that was B.L. (Before Leo). So don't count 'em out.

After all, after just eight games Messi is already third on Inter Miami's alltime goal list. What further miracles could he produce, seeing how Messi vs. MLS looks a lot like (one would imagine) Fernando Tatis Jr. coming back to the Fort Wayne TinCaps to take a few more hacks in the Midwest League?

I Challenge Leo To Make The Playoffs.

Sounds like a great bit to me.