CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

MESSI COMES TO MLS

Lionel Messi is widely considered the great soccer player of all-time. His accomplishments are virtually unrivaled. His counting stats in many was are incomprehensible. Messi’s long career primarily with Barcelona, at the club level, and Argentina, internationally, have built him a fan following second to none on the history of professional sports. 

With David Beckham’s involvement in the Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami CF, there were whispers that the potential for Messi to come to MLS may be a reality. But, when it happened in 2023, it was still a shock. The greatest of all time, just months removed from his first World Cup win in 2022, was coming to play soccer in America. Despite his advanced age, Messi was still regarded as one of the best players in the world. Virtually any team in top five European leagues would happily have added him to their roster.  Yes, he chose MLS. 

The impacts of the deal were well documented but still hard to conceive. Messi’s arrival triggered economic ripples that included a massive broadcast partnership between MLS and Apple TV, among others. His arrival immediately boosted ticket sales as well. 

Paul Tenorio is a senior writer at The Athletic, covering soccer. He has documented “Messi-mania” in all forms — on the field, off the field and beyond. Tenorio has written numerous pieces for The Athletic breaking down the economic impacts of Messi’s arrival in America and is working on a book about his overall effect on MLS and soccer in the United States. He joined Founding Futbol to talk all things Messi in America.