Robbie Keane: “Inter Miami are the favourites because of Messi”

After an impressive Premier League career, playing for Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, amongst others, Robbie Keane spent six trophy-laden seasons in MLS with LA Galaxy.

He joined a Galaxy team that boasted superstars like David Beckham and Landon Donovan, but which had struggled to convert their star power into tangible successes. Keane’s arrival changed all that, the Irishman picked up three MLS Cups and hit more than 100 goals during his time in Los Angeles.

His old team face Inter Miami on Sunday evening. Speaking ahead of the Game Keane said that Miami are his pick to be crowned MLS Cup winners in 2024.

“We know how difficult that league can be, but I hope they can hit a bit of form and get to the play-offs this season. You’d have to say Inter Miami are the favourites because of Messi.”

Full screen

“He’s a top player, and you look at the players that they’ve brought in, with the Barcelona guys coming back and Luis Suarez now there as well, it will be interesting to see. They’ve definitely got every chance to win the MLS Cup, no question about it.”

LA Galaxy ‘should be fighting for playoffs’, says Keane

The Galaxy endured a torrid 2023 campaign, finishing 13th in the Western Conference and failing to make the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

The front office made some big moves in the off-season and brought in two new Designated Players, Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec. Goalkeeper John McCarthy arrives from rivals LAFC and club captain Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández was allowed to leave after the expiration of his contract.

That busy off-season has given Galaxy fans something to be hopeful about heading into the new campaign. They have not made it past the quarter-finals of the playoffs since 2024, when Keane was picking up the third of his titles.

Now, he’s eager to see his former side comPeting at the right end of the table once more.

He explained: “It was a big part of my career, being there five-and-a-half years and winning three championships, so I always look out for LA Galaxy. They haven’t had the best time in the last couple of years and with the History of the club they should be always fighting for the playoffs and the chance to win the MLS Cup.”