Lionel Messi joined the MLS this summer. Since his debut, his goal tally for Inter Miami has been nothing short of outstanding. The 36-year-old and 7-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored nine goals in 6 matches for the club.
Since Leo joined Inter Miami, the spotlight has been on the MLS, just like it did on the Saudi Pro League since Cristiano Ronaldo joined. However, Messi has made a shocking yet thrilling remark regarding the US-based league and its potential for European competition.
Messi envisions MLS’s ability to compete with European giants
Looking forward to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, Inter Miami’s very own Lionel Messi believes that MLS soccer can gain prominence in Europe.
Having already notched nine goals in just six appearances for his new team, Messi’s transition from his former team, the reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain, has been rather remarkable.
Indeed Messi believes that MLS could catch up with European football ahead of the 2026 World Cup because the US, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host the World Cup that year. He believes that this alone will encourage more involvement and participation in football in these countries.
In his first presser since joining Inter Miami, Lionel Messi discussed MLS’s chances to grow, “I think it has every opportunity to do so,” Messi said to ESPN. “That growth depends a lot on the league. It’s an ideal moment to grow. Important upcoming competitions will be played in this country [2024 Copa America, 2026 FIFA World Cup].”
Lionel Messi on MLS catching up to European leagues 🇺🇸
"I think it has every opportunity to do so. That growth depends a lot on the league. It's an ideal moment to grow. There are important competitions upcoming that will be played in this country [2024 Copa America, 2026 FIFA… pic.twitter.com/rg6Zcm5w2b
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 18, 2023
“It’s time for the league to make that leap and finish growing, finish looking for what it’s been seeking for a while. Everything is in place here to witness top-level football because of the country, the structure, and many things,” he added.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Nashville SC clash in Leagues Cup final
This Saturday, August 19, Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi are on the brink of making history again. Since Messi joined the club, they have sold the highest ticket prices in history; now, they have the chance to make this run even more memorable.
The team is gearing up to take on Nashville SC in the 2023 Leagues Cup final—an occasion that marks the Club’s inaugural appearance in a championship match. This presents an incredible opportunity for them to secure their first official trophy, adding a shiny piece of silverware to the First Team’s collection.
The team has been on a great run in the 2023 Leagues Cup campaign. On their website, Inter Miami CF noted that “Inter Miami has been playing some fine fĂştbol throughout its 2023 Leagues Cup campaign, with the team winning all of its six matches in the competition while leading the competition in goals with 21, six more than its opponent in the highly anticipated final.”
According to Goal, tickets are now priced between $476 and $2,360. If the stadium sells out and Messi manages to deliver, we could be looking at a turning point for MLS and American soccer as a whole.
