MLS commissioner Don Garber has sent a message to Inter Miami and Lionel Messi after last year’s ‘game-changer’ of a decision.
The Florida franchise last summer made history with the signing of Messi as the Argentine international swapped Europe for MLS in one of the biggest deals in all of soccer, with Inter Miami changing the sport overnight in the United States.
Since then, Inter Miami have gone on to win Leagues Cup and currently sit top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, with Messi leading the Herons’ charge to success this year with numerous record-breaking performances.
And Garber has now praised Messi and the Florida franchise on social media.
Inter Miami praised for bringing Messi to MLS in landmark deal
Taking to Twitter, Garber praised the Herons for winning this year’s Sports Business Journal award for Team of the Year and Deal of the Year, both of which were accomplished with the signing of Messi.
As one of the biggest names on the planet, the signing of Messi has done more to raise the profile of soccer in the United States than any other move, and Inter Miami deserve praise for what they managed to achieve last summer with the Argentine.
Garber wrote: “Congratulations to Inter Miami for securing the SBJ Team of the Year and Deal of the Year honors! The signing of Leo Messi was a game-changer, raising the profile of not just the club but of MLS and the entire sport in North America.
“Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham believed in MLS and made an unprecedented investment in the greatest player to ever play the beautiful game. Here’s to more success and innovation in the future!”
Herons have to ensure they build a lasting legacy in MLS
The arrival of Messi has been a real game-changer for Inter Miami and MLS, with the Herons now one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world and one of the most exciting projects in the game.
Yet what is now important is that Inter Miami continue to build from on from Messi, with the journey far from over with the 36-year-old eager to win silverware for the Florida franchise.
Indeed, Messi and Inter Miami need to build a legacy that can transform MLS into one of the biggest soccer leagues in the world, and early signs have been encouraging heading into the summer.