Not every footballer has the power or capacity to influence a league. Perhaps nothing less should have been expected when seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi made a ‘life-changing’ decision to join Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi Ushers A New Era of Soccer for MLS
Which footballer refused an alleged $400 million yearly salary offer from Saudi Arabia and opted for a deal from Inter Miami? That’s right – it’s Lionel Messi. He decided to embark on a different career path than his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League for $260 million, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Since the football legend joined the Herons, Major League Soccer has experienced multiple impacts that someone only as talented and established as Messi can bring about. Messi has impacted the league outside the football field by bringing it to the global spotlight.
Major League Soccer has recorded an astonishing 12% increase in match attendance in just a year of “the Messi effect.” In 279 matches of the half of the ongoing season, over 700,000 new fans have been in attendance, bringing the attendance statistic to 6.5 million.
Three clubs in the league broke their single-game attendance records when they hosted the Herons. First is the Vancouver Whitecaps, who recorded 51,035 fans in attendance. The second club on the list is the New England Revolution, with 65,612 fans. Sporting Kansas City set a record of 72,610 fans to cap it all.
CF Montreal, Orlando City, the LA Galaxy, and the New York Red Bulls also experienced a double-digit surge in annual average attendance. With the arrival of ex-Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami experienced a 26.6% growth in average attendance in the same period.
On the soccer pitch, Lionel Messi has rewritten the story of Inter Miami, leading the Herons to their premier trophy – the League Cup, just months after he transferred. Other than that, his goals and playmaking skills have influenced the team’s attacking capabilities.
Inter Miami’s head coach, Gerardo Martino, once said that Messi will continue to bring show-stopping performances to the soccer pitch after the “huge weight” of the Argentinian national team has been lifted off him. The Greatest of All Time is more than willing to advise his Heron teammates and share his wealth of experience with them. Unsurprisingly, Inter Miami’s play has changed for the better since Lionel Messi joined the team. Not only that, but the Herons also play more freely and confidently now.
Lionel Messi’s Celebrity-Studded Debut Match with the Herons
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Lionel Messi’s first match with Inter Miami in the BMO Stadium was one for the history books. With the attendance of celebrities like Selena Gomez, Magic Johnson, Prince Harry, and Megan Markle. Star athletes, such as Lebron James, Clayton Kershaw, and Owen Wilson, were also present to witness Lionel Messi in all his glory as he and his teammates went against Los Angeles FC. The match ended with the Herons having a 3-1 victory over LAFC.
A New Revolution In MLS
While the arrival of Messi into the league has brought about some obvious and noticeable effects, there are other reasons why MLS has garnered more attention. For starters, the league’s contract with Apple TV has boosted its scheduling consistency and, consequently, viewership. Most matches are now fixed at 7:30 pm local time on Saturdays.
Likewise, MLS has seen a flood of season ticket sales and a hike in popularity in preparation for hosting the 2026 World Cup. Back in 2007, David Beckham joined LA Galaxy, kickstarting MLS’ initial rise in popularity. Five years later, he left, putting an end to “Beckham mania.”
Conclusion
The “Messi effect” hasn’t peaked, as the 37-year-old Argentinian football prodigy has only spent a year in the league. In the coming years, Lionel Messi’s presence will have a ripple effect on MLS, solidifying its status as a top soccer league and attracting other pro footballers.
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