Barcelona great Hristo Stoichkov is confident Lionel Messi hasn't joined Inter Miami to retire.

Stoichkov has experience in MLS with Chicago Fire.

He told Mundo Deportivo: "I love and respect Messi a lot. Anyone who thinks he's going for a walk doesn't know him. He wants to win.

"He aims for the 2026 World Cup. The first goal is the Copa América, which he will play at his home and he will prepare for it. When Messi sets out to do something, he fights to win it.

"He wants to win the US Open Cup and reach the playoffs. I am very happy that (Don) Garber, (Jorge) Mas and David Beckham have signed Leo and Sergio Busquets and have entrusted themselves to (Tata) Martino, who will lift up the team: another page opens for MLS.

"It is a very competitive league, it does not have anything to envy to anyone."