Lionel Messi has dedicated a great deal to the Argentine national team. Argentina probably needs him now more than ever in the light of Angel Di Maria’s imminent departure. However, his ability to continue to give Argentina the best may be significantly hampered with the lack of serious competition he currently faces in the MLS.
Lionel Messi, the greatest to ever play the game, has identified the MLS as unfit for the competition he needs to stay in form, despite constantly refusing the option to return to his boyhood club Barcelona or play in the Saudi Pro League.
Messi explores options before Inter Miami move
Lionel Messi, the football legend and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, recently shared insights into the various options he considered before ultimately deciding to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Departing Paris Saint-Germain after a successful stint, where he played a pivotal role in securing the club’s first-ever silverware, Messi revealed that he contemplated returning to his former club Barcelona.
Intriguingly, the World Cup winner also entertained the idea of teaming up with his long-standing rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the Saudi Pro League. Despite acknowledging the Saudi league’s potential for growth, Messi expressed his belief that it has not yet attained the status of a top-tier competition, emphasizing its future prospects.
Lionel Messi brands MLS a minor league
The Major League Soccer in relative comparison to other leagues like the Premier League or La Liga is indeed a ‘minor league,’ if one is to put it aptly in Lionel Messi’s words. The 8th-time Ballon d’Or winner has granted a rare interview where he revealed a number of things including the minority status of the Major League Soccer.
As Lionel Messi explored his options post-Paris Saint-Germain, it became evident that David Beckham and Jorge Mas played pivotal roles in persuading him to choose Inter Miami for the next chapter of his illustrious career. The allure of the contract offered by Inter Miami aligns Messi’s earnings with some of the highest-paid athletes in other major American sports leagues like MLB, NFL, or the NBA.
Addressing concerns relating to Lionel Messi’s availability for the 2026 World Cup, he acknoledged that he is playing in a minor league which could significantly determine his readiness for the competition. He also emphasised that he’ll be the first to know whether or not he is a fit fot the 2026 World Cup.
“I said it several times and it is a reality – I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can’t. I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but a lot happens because of the way one faces it and competes. As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa América and being able to play in it.”
It is understood that Messi’s MLS labelling as a ‘minor league’ means he probably feels the need to play more competitively, in a bigger league to be ready for both the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup.
