Could Lionel Messi Supercharge Professional Soccer In The U.S.?



Messi-mania has swept the nation, drawing crowds to sold-out stadiums to witness the 36-year-old in action. Messi merchandise is in high demand, and Apple attributes a surge in Apple TV+ subscribers to his Major League Soccer presence. The MLS aims to harness Messi’s popularity as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Watch the video above to find out whether Messi wearing the Inter Miami jersey until 2025 could supercharge professional soccer in the U.S.

Produced by: Anuz Thapa
Supervising Producer: Jeff Morganteen
Narration: Jordan Smith
Additional Footage: Getty Images, Major League Soccer

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Could Lionel Messi Supercharge Professional Soccer In The U.S.?

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22 opiniones en “Could Lionel Messi Supercharge Professional Soccer In The U.S.?”

  3. Not sure where they're getting those league valuations from. No way in HELL is the average value of an MLS club is 700m. Someone's diddling the numbers here massively. Yes, it's what MLS says you have to pay to start a club but you have to pay me 700m for my iPhone but it's not WORTH that.

  5. I hear these people talk and all I see in their eyes is dollar signs. They could care less about the sport or if more home grown talent is developed long term future. I hope with all this hype Messi doesn’t receive too much unwanted attention from corrupt corporatists and mafiosos.

  9. he didn't want to join the arab pro league because he knew he wouldn't be able to compete easily because some of the top level european players were already there. he finds it easy to play in MLS, which is still below the Arab pro league in terms of quality.

  12. But with europe dominating and saudi buying up, I don't know how will they come ahead. I highly doubt there would be the same excitement once Messi is out and Messi is not 25 so he has fewer years left to leave a permanent mark.

    MLS cannot compete with Saudi with money and the quality cannot ride on just one guy.

  15. No chance. Messi is all time but he also shows just how bad MLS is. The difference in skillsets between players in MLS and the likes of Premier League, LaLiga & Serie A is enormous. And that's without considering viewers… people aren't watching MLS, we're watching Messi.

    This is the NBA equivalent of Jordan playing 1 final season in China for $2 billion and a franchise 😅 and Messi earned every cent.

  18. From what I see, they only brought Messi to make propaganda for the 2026 World Cup, not because they really care about soccer in the United States, what a disappointment

  21. He's an amazing player, and will really shine in the MLS, just like Ronaldo does in the Saudi Pro League. MLS and Saudi Pro League playing standards are considerably lower than in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, etc. So there's no reason why they wouldn't excel.

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