Lionel Messi, the World Cup winner with Argentina, is widely acclaimed as the greatest soccer player of all time for his unprecedented achievements in the sport. Even at 36, he shows no signs of slowing down, extending his influence to North America following his arrival in MLS.
Messi played an orchestral role as the skipper in Inter Miami’s first MLS 2024 match on Thursday, leading the team to a 2-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake with his front-line attack. Meanwhile, his remarkable off-pitch popularity has earned him the title of ‘America’s favorite athlete.’
Lionel Messi emerges as “America’s favorite Pro athlete”
Lionel Messi made a historic move by joining Inter Miami last year, lighting up the league with his unparalleled popularity and leading his team to win their first-ever trophy, the League Cup. Subsequently, he became the first and only MLS player to win the Ballon d’Or accolade in 2023.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been at the center of the spotlight, being the face of the league and the sport in the country. The forward guided his team to their maiden victory of the season, kicking off the new season with all eyes on the former Barcelona talisman to lead Inter Miami to the title.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the 36-year-old emerged as America’s favorite pro athlete in the polls, making another mark in history and joining the ranks of American greats like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Tom Brady, according to the report by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS).
Messi also became the first soccer player to top the popularity polls in the United States since 1994, when SSRS began conducting their poll, and NBA legend Michael Jordan dominated the polls for a decade. This suggests that the Argentine icon’s arrival has significantly uplifted the stature of the sport across the entire nation.
Messi effect takes Inter Miami to top of MLS fandom
Not only has Lionel Messi become the most popular sporting phenomenon in the United States, but the MLS has also seen a growth in its fanbase, with a rise in ticket sales and viewership counts.
This surge is largely attributed to his association with the Florida-based club, Inter Miami, which reported a fivefold increase in their fandom last year.
As a result, Inter Miami has claimed the spot as the soccer club with the largest fanbase in America, surpassing LA Galaxy. Overall, they sit in the fourth spot, only behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United, as the top three European clubs remain the most popular globally.
