Los Angeles FC player Carlos Vela has warned Lionel Messi after it was confirmed that the Argentina World Cup winner was going to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami.

Vela has stated that while Messi's joining MLS is excellent news for the country’s footballing culture, Inter Miami will not dethrone LAFC as league title favorites.

Messi confirmed last week that he would be joining Inter Miami after the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract on June 30.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was heavily linked with both Barcelona and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, revealed that he wanted more peace of mind, which made him choose Inter Miami over others.

However, Vela, who has been plying his trade at LAFC since joining from Real Sociedad in 2018, has welcomed Messi’s arrival but remains confident about his team’s chances of winning silverware.

Speaking to US TV channel TUDN, the 34-year-old said: “It’s great news for MLS [Messi’s arrival], but I still think that we are still the ones who want to win the title.

“It doesn’t matter who is on the other teams. Plans don’t change.”

Los Angeles, who are the current MLS Cup holders, currently find themselves in the third spot in the Western Conference table, while Inter Miami are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.