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Messi makes MLS more exciting. |
On July 15, 2023, Lionel Messi officially set foot on American soil, making his debut for Inter Miami. Two years have passed, and today is not only a milestone in time, but also an opportunity to look back at a new chapter in history - where Messi not only played football, but also redefined the value of a star in a completely new environment.
With talent, ambition and influence beyond the borders of sports , Leo has turned Miami into a center of world football - something unthinkable just a few years ago for MLS.
Messi chose Miami, not for the money
When Messi announced that he would turn down a huge offer from Al Hilal to join Inter Miami, many were surprised. Why would a superstar who had just won the World Cup and was still at the peak of his career choose to join a league whose class was still in doubt like MLS?
However, Messi has never been one to make an easy choice. He chose the US not for the numbers on the payroll, but for a new journey - where he could do something no one had ever done before: turn American football into a serious destination for top players and the world .
As soon as he arrived at Inter Miami, Messi made an immediate impact - not only in the media, but also on the pitch. He scored goals as if he had never left Barcelona.
In two seasons, Leo played 64 games, scored 56 goals and added 25 assists. Those numbers not only reflect performance, but also confirm: MLS is not the place for Messi to "retire" - it is the place where he continues to conquer, continues to create.
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Despite his age, Messi still plays well. |
Inter Miami quickly turned things around. In 2023, they won the Leagues Cup - the first title in the club's history. In 2024, they led the MLS regular season and won the Supporters' Shield. Messi, of course, won the MVP, the top scorer and the eighth Ballon d'Or of his career - an unprecedented feat for a player playing in the United States.
Messi’s influence doesn’t stop on the pitch. MLS is booming. More than 11.4 million spectators attended the 2023/24 season, setting a new record. Apple TV, the MLS rights holder, added 300,000 subscribers after Messi’s debut – double the previous number.
Leo's No. 10 jersey was the most sought-after item in the tournament, with sales up 41%. Each club that had the chance to host Inter Miami shared millions of dollars in ticket sales - a total of $84 million . The average ticket increased by 1,700%, with box office revenue reaching $265 million .
It’s not just a buzz – it’s a structural change in the league. MLS is no longer a “retirement league” but a global sports and entertainment platform – and Messi is the chief architect of that transformation.
The peaks – and the necessary falls
Messi’s big dream with Inter Miami is to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup - a tournament he has won many times with Barcelona. Thanks to “favors” from FIFA - a decision that later met with much controversy, Inter Miami qualified to participate as the team with the best record in the regular season.
Coming into the tournament, they beat Porto in the group stage - where Messi scored a stunning goal, alongside the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and coach Javier Mascherano - but then PSG, Leo's old club, brought them back down to earth with a 4-0 defeat in the knockout stages.
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Inter Miami is working hard to negotiate an extension with Messi. |
It was a necessary defeat. It was a reminder that the journey to becoming world champions cannot be based on past glory alone. But it should not obscure the fact that Inter Miami have stepped onto the big stage, and Messi got them there.
In two years, Messi has achieved almost everything with Inter Miami: titles, records, influence. But the MLS Cup - the league's most prestigious trophy - is still waiting for him to get his hands on.
Last season, they were eliminated by Atalanta United in the play-off round, despite finishing top of the regular season. This season, Messi is leading the scoring charts with 16 goals, continuing to be the leading light in the style of play of coach Mascherano - a former teammate who has become an inspiration on the coaching bench.
In 2026, the new stadium - Miami Freedom Park - will be inaugurated. And if there is a perfect image to open the new era, it is Messi, lifting the MLS Cup in front of thousands of spectators, as a mark to close the final chapter of his career.
Lionel Messi didn’t come to America to retire. He came to create a legacy. Over the past two years, he has not only transformed Inter Miami, but also shaken up American soccer. And if there’s anything he hasn’t done – it’s only because the story is still unfolding.
Source: https://znews.vn/con-sot-messi-chua-ha-nhiet-post1568713.html
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