Lionel Messi has been the face of Main League Soccer since becoming a member of Inter Miami in 2023, remodeling the league’s visibility and status in a single day. However as a lot because the Argentine legend has loved his American journey, he has now revealed that there’s one factor he doesn’t like about MLS — and even provided a three-word piece of recommendation that, if carried out, might see international superstars like Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, and even Cristiano Ronaldo observe in his footsteps.
In a revealing interview with NBC Nightly Information with Tom Llamas, Messi spoke candidly about what he would change if he have been commissioner for a day. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who not too long ago prolonged his keep in South Florida via 2028, didn’t maintain again in his imaginative and prescient for the way American soccer might really compete with Europe’s elite.
Since arriving in Miami, Messi has performed what few thought potential: he’s turned Inter Miami from a struggling enlargement mission into a world model. Ticket gross sales, shirt income, and TV audiences skyrocketed. But, even amid that success, the Argentine celebrity insists the league has untapped potential.
“I feel that rising soccer in america is feasible,” Messi stated throughout the interview. “I feel there are nonetheless massive modifications to be made in order that groups can proceed to develop, however there’s a very robust basis in place the place golf equipment are ready and wish that progress. And I feel it’s time to do it.”
In accordance with Messi, that basis isn’t sufficient with out vital reform. He believes one particular rule prevents MLS from changing into what it might be — and his frustration with it has clearly grown over time.
The hidden impediment holding MLS again
The 38-year-old captain defined that one main distinction between MLS and prime European leagues is the extent of freedom golf equipment need to construct their squads. Underneath present guidelines, MLS groups are topic to strict wage caps and roster laws, together with the Designated Participant rule, which permits solely three gamers per crew to earn salaries above the set cap.
Whereas this method is designed to advertise parity, it has additionally restricted golf equipment’ potential to compete for prime expertise. Messi was direct about what he sees as the issue: “Each crew ought to have the chance to usher in gamers and signal whoever every crew desires — with out limitations or guidelines for gamers to convey them in.”
Then got here the second that made headlines. In easy however putting phrases, the Inter Miami icon delivered his three-word recommendation that summed up his complete argument — an enchantment that may, in his view, utterly reshape MLS and entice the world’s elite. His message? Scrap wage caps.
Messi’s stance isn’t nearly cash. It’s about imaginative and prescient. He argued that MLS’ progress is dependent upon giving golf equipment the ability to signal and construct freely — not on equal spending limits that restrain ambition. “I don’t suppose that at present all groups in america, all golf equipment, have the ability to do this,” he continued. “In the event that they got the liberty, many extra necessary gamers would come and assist the expansion of america.”
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF.
It’s a daring suggestion, one which aligns with the method seen in Europe’s main leagues — the place golf equipment like Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Manchester Metropolis function with monetary freedom to draw top-tier expertise. In actual fact, the veteran believes that if MLS have been to observe that path, the league might quickly welcome a wave of worldwide superstars.
What may need been
Messi’s feedback echo a frustration felt by many international gamers who’ve admired the MLS mission from afar however discovered its construction unappealing. Over the previous few years, Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been linked with strikes to the U.S., but none of these transfers materialized — largely as a result of monetary and roster restrictions Messi now desires lifted.
Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo
Antoine Griezmann, for instance, was closely linked to Inter Miami throughout his turbulent spell at Barcelona. His artistic play and charisma would have match the American market completely, however MLS’ wage limitations made the transfer unrealistic. Neymar, one other international icon, has reportedly explored a possible U.S. swap for years now. Nonetheless, regardless of Inter Miami’s curiosity, the price of his wages and picture rights proved prohibitive.
After which there’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who, regardless of his international enchantment and unmatched health, selected Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia over MLS in 2022. His potential arrival would have been monumental, however once more, wage cap restrictions stood in the way in which. Had Messi’s recommendation already been carried out, the league may need seen these superstars on American soil — reshaping not solely MLS’ competitiveness but additionally its international market presence.
