David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic point made as MLS ambition set amid Lionel Messi frenzy

Messi-mania landed in Miami weeks ago, ramped up when the Argentina legend scored a last-minute free-kick winner on debut and could reach fever pitch should the World Cup make his first start this week.

Inter Miami welcome Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday (7.30pm local time, 12.30am on Wednesday in the UK). Messi's arrival has seen interest soar amid a clamour for tickets, a flurry of shirt sales and an increased media presence.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino suggested on Monday that Messi will feature from the start, alongside fellow new arrival and former Barcelona man Sergio Busquets, saying: "It is very likely that both will play longer, even from the beginning. Everything will depend on how they feel. It's just their second game."

It will provide another sporting occasion for the MLS on the back of Messi's debut being the most-watched football match in US TV history with approximately 12.5million viewers.

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It's what Miami and the MLS want. The arrival of the world's best player, at a club co-owned by David Beckham, can elevate the league to a new level. And MLS Commissioner Don Garber believes it is further evidence of a league on the up, and one able to attract players still capable of cutting it in Europe rather than those winding down.

“I think you need to start with getting the best of all time choose us now,” Garber said. “What will that look like in the years to come and perhaps it will because I think the perception of Major League Soccer is going to change dramatically over the next number of years.

“I think our own ambition is going to change as we all see how all of this plays out. But I think because