Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami has brought unprecedented attention to American soccer.
But will it elevate the MLS, or is it just another temporary boost in star power?
Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023 and will stay on the team until the end of the 2025 MLS season. While most people knew Messi wouldn’t return to Paris Saint Germain, few expected him to join Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi was born in Argentina in 1987 and is now regarded as one of the greatest players ever. Messi started playing football as a child and joined the youth team of Newwell’s Old Boys. Messi’s skills gathered a lot of attention from prestigious clubs. He moved to Barcelona with his family at 13, and in 2000, he joined FC Barcelona U14.
At just 17, Messi made his first-team debut playing for Barcelona. He went on to have a 17-year career with the team and helped them win 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, and seven Copa del Rey trophies.
In 2021, Messi left Barcelona to join Paris Saint Germain, where he played for two years before joining us in America, playing for Inter Miami.
It’s no secret that in the United States, sports like American Football, Basketball, and Baseball prevail over soccer. A global superstar such as Messi joining a US team might increase the sport’s popularity, but will it impact MLS in the US as a whole?
Messi’s presence in Inter Miami has already raised ticket prices, with some increasing by 500%, Yahoo Sports reported.
There are still challenges in raising the sport’s popularity in the US. MLS’s structure, with salary caps and designated player rules, makes it difficult for clubs to stack their rosters with elite talent like European clubs.
Messi’s status as a global soccer icon has had a lot of influence in the US; maybe he’ll influence Americans to call it ‘football’ next.
