Lionel Messi should make his debut for Inter Miami against Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday but the seven-times Ballon d'Or winner may be limited to a role off the bench.
The Argentine arrived in South Florida last week to a wave of enthusiasm and was presented to fans at a special stadium event on Sunday.
But since the initial hype, when club owner Jorge Mas described him as "America's number 10" and promised the move would "change the football landscape" in the USA, there has been a noticeable change of tone.
Messi only started training in earnest this week after spending time with his family on vacation and the opening game of the new Leagues Cup -- which pits MLS and Liga MX teams together in a tournament format -- may come too soon for the World Cup champion to start.