August 18, (THEWILL) – Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi, believes Major League Soccer (MLS) has the potential to rival top European leagues in just a few years.
In an interview on Thursday, his first since joining Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi expressed confidence that MLS could meet expectations and match the quality of overseas clubs. “I think it has every opportunity to do so,” Messi said. “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 World Cup].”
The 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, will likely drive increased interest in the sport domestically. “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, a bunch of things,” Messi said.
Messi cited the US Men’s National Team’s strong showing at the 2022 World Cup as evidence that American soccer is advancing quickly. “It was a great squad in the World Cup, too. Very competitive. It held its own against every team it had on its slate. It’s getting closer and closer to the level of Mexican soccer,” he remarked.
The Argentine superstar elaborated on his rationale for joining Inter Miami after leaving European powerhouse PSG. “My decision was based on a lot of things. We thought about it a lot and decided with my family. I came here so I could continue to enjoy soccer, it’s what I’ve enjoyed all my life, and I chose that place for that reason more than anything.”
With the MLS club set to play in the Leagues Cup final, Messi is optimistic about bringing a championship to South Florida. “I can say I’m very happy, not just because of the results on the pitch but because of my family, how we go about our everyday life. We are enjoying the city and the welcome from fans, which has been extraordinary since the first day. Not just in Miami but the US in general.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
