Lionel Messi has shared his verdict on the growth of soccer in the United States since making the move to Inter Miami and MLS last summer.
It’s been a transformative 12 months for the sport in America since Messi made the bombshell decision to swap Europe for MLS in the form of Inter Miami, with the reigning Ballon d’Or holder joining in a league-record deal.
With the Herons now one of the most recognizable sports brands on the planet since Messi’s move to Florida, the Argentina’s impact on soccer in the United States has been nothing short of incredible, with MLS on the rise at a record-breaking pace.
And Messi has now given his verdict on how the sport has changed since his arrival.
Messi praises the growth of soccer in the United States since Inter Miami move
Speaking to FN, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner lauded the growth of the game in America, with soccer quickly turning into a top-three sport in the States with three major tournaments due to be hosted in the country.
Indeed, Inter Miami and Messi can be praised for their impact on soccer in the USA, and the Argentine is pleased with the direction the sport is now going in since leaving PSG for the Herons last summer.
Messi said: “It’s a global game that will continue to gain momentum and popularity. The local tournament is competitive, and adding Mexican teams in the Leagues Cup also makes it attractive.
“Also, at a country level, the Copa America, the Club World Cup 2025, the 2026 World Cup, pushes a lot. And more and more international players are coming to the league.”
Soccer has unlimited potential in the US with Messi leading the push
With the Copa America, FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup all taking place in the US in the next two years, soccer has never been more promising as a sport in America.
And with Messi loving life at Inter Miami and growing MLS’s reputation with each passing week, soccer’s potential in the United States is unlimited with the country now having some form of legitimacy in the last 12 months.
The longer Messi can keep delivering for the Herons, the more chance soccer has of making it big in the United States, with the future of the sport incredibly promising.