Has Messi Truly Transformed MLS Football?

The development of Lionel Messi to play in Major League Soccer was celebrated as a historic landmark, and the recent decision of his contract to continue with Inter Miami until 2028 only strengthens the magnitude of the Argentine superstar. MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke of Messi’s impact as historic, as the player’s presence has changed the perception of the league not only in the United States but also in the entire world.

Messi has been a game-changer on and off the field, since he joined Inter Miami in 2023, after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. According to analysts, there has been a sharp rise in attendance at matches in the MLS, TV watching has grown tremendously and the world has never been more connected to the league as it is now. Essentially, Messi has not only increased the performance of Inter Miami but also enhanced the profile of the whole league.

David Beckham and Jorge Mas, the co-owners, have been applauding Messi for reflecting the club’s dreams. In addition, Beckham specifically pointed out Messi as the center of their vision, stating that he is the core of their ideas of making Miami a soccer capital. Messi is the perfect fit for the MLS’s objectives of acquiring the most talented international players and raising its image among the global community.

The league has the potential to expand further in the future, particularly with Inter Miami’s relocation into a new stadium in Miami Freedom Park in 2026. It is believed that this golden age that Messi is contributing to will bring more international players and investments to the league, establishing MLS as one of the fastest-growing football leagues in the world.

With the soccer world watching, I wonder whether Messi’s influence can be the long-term growth of MLS or whether this will be a single page about an incredibly great player. In any case, his contributions in history are already shifting the course of American football.