FIFA president Gianni Infantino has shared how Inter Miami and Lionel Messi can help inspire MLS to improve in the years to come.
The Herons shook the world last year by completing the signing of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after his release from PSG, with Messi becoming an instant success for Inter Miami and transforming the MLS franchise overnight into one of the biggest clubs on the planet.
Winning last year’s inaugural Leagues Cup and this season guiding Inter Miami to the top of the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, Messi’s impact in Florida has been incredible, with the Argentine since being joined by former teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
And Infantino has shared how Inter Miami’s move to sign Messi can inspire MLS to take the next step.
Infantino backs MLS sides to emulate Inter Miami’s Messi signing
Speaking at a conference in Los Angeles via Yahoo, the FIFA president claimed that Messi’s impact at Inter Miami in attracting fans could push MLS teams to make big-name signings of their own, with the money there in the league.
This summer will see roster and spending rules altered in MLS, allowing franchises greater freedom to spend big on huge names, and Infantino believes Messi’s impact on Inter Miami will lead to a surge of new arrivals.
The FIFA official said when asked about the impact Messi has had on MLS: “I told them [MLS officials] you have to be a bit more bold, a bit more in the game, bring in the best players.
“The ‘Messi effect’ if we want to call it that way, you see Messi and Inter Miami filling stadiums, and not MLS stadiums but NFL stadiums. We want to see the best so we need to bring them the best players, but also the best game, and the best spectacle.”
MLS teams have to go all out to keep up with Inter Miami
Inter Miami’s blockbuster move for Messi has set the new precedent for what superstar signings in MLS can be, with the Argentine thriving this year having fully adapted to life in Florida.
And for the Herons’ rival clubs, they have to now go that extra mile and go all out if they’re to keep up with Inter Miami, who will not slow down now with superstar signings after the capture of Messi.
Indeed, MLS is entering a brave new world with Messi at the helm, and franchises will need to do all they can to compete with Inter Miami and to raise the quality level of soccer in the United States.