How Soccer Legend Lionel Messi Transformed MLS in the U.S. and Around the Globe

When Lionel Messi stood beside President Trump at the White House earlier this month, accepting recognition for Inter Miami CF’s first Major League Soccer championship, it marked another milestone in a career that has spent nearly two decades redefining soccer greatness.But it was also something else: a vivid symbol of how Mr. Messi has reshaped soccer in the United States.The ceremony honoring Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup victory once again placed the Argentine superstar in the kind of global spotlight he has occupied throughout his legendary career. Yet in the context of American soccer, it also served as confirmation that the gamble Major League Soccer and Inter Miami took acquiring Mr. Messi in the summer of 2023 has paid off beyond the team and the league’s most optimistic expectations.As MLS prepares for a new season and the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mr. Messi’s presence remains the single most transformative force in the sport’s American story.A gamble that changed everythingInter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas made headlines recently by revealing Mr. Messi is paid between $70 and $80 million a year, including the player’s ownership shares. “Worth every penny,” Mr. Mas said.When Mr. Messi stunned the soccer world by leaving Paris Saint-Germain to join Inter Miami in 2023, the move immediately became one of the most expensive and significant signings in the history of MLS.The league had welcomed global stars before — from David Beckham to Zlatan Ibrahimović — but none arrived with Mr. Messi’s combination of talent, global fame and sustained dominance.An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who spent most of his legendary career with FC Barcelona, Mr. Messi was not simply another aging star seeking a final paycheck. Even at 36, he remained arguably the most recognizable athlete on the planet. His mission wasn’t simply to show up, but to raise the profile of MLS and Inter Miami in the United States.The results have been immediate and overwhelming.Since arriving in South Florida, Mr. Messi has guided the club to a cascade of success: the Leagues Cup, a record-setting Supporters’ Shield campaign, deep runs in continental competition and, most significantly, the 2025 MLS Cup championship.He also captured the league’s Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 matches, a remarkable feat that silenced lingering doubts about whether his brilliance would translate to MLS.The economics of a global superstarAccording to the MLS Players Association, Mr. Messi’s guaranteed compensation is just over $20 million, easily making him the league’s highest-paid player. The next closest earner, Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, earns roughly $11 million.Mr. Messi’s deal also includes revenue-sharing agreements tied to partnerships with Adidas and MLS broadcast partner Apple, further boosting his financial footprint.For Inter Miami, the investment has proved more than worthwhile. The club is now the most valuable franchise in MLS, valued at $1.45 billion according to Sportico — a 22 percent jump in a single year.Sponsorship deals have surged as well. The team recently secured a naming rights agreement for its new home, Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park, a 26,700-seat facility scheduled to open this spring. The new stadium played a huge role in Inter Miami’s extending Mr. Messi through 2028.“Miami has always been a place where people come with big dreams and from the very beginning, we wanted this club to reflect that spirit,” Mr. Beckham said. “Opening our new stadium is a really special moment on our journey—a place for fans across South Florida and for people around the world who feel connected to our club to watch us play.” A club transformedBefore Mr. Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami was still searching for identity in MLS. Founded by a group led by Mr. Beckham, the club struggled to translate its global ambitions into consistent results. The Herons were a last-place team. Mr. Messi’s arrival instantly changed that.Crowds surged. Television ratings spiked. Pink Inter Miami jerseys began appearing across the globe. More importantly, the team began winning.Mr. Messi’s influence also helped attract elite talent, including longtime Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez as well as Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. The combination of star power and experience quickly turned Miami into the league’s most formidable roster.Inter Miami’s payroll now approaches $49 million — more than double that of most MLS clubs.But the spending spree has produced results, culminating in last season’s MLS Cup triumph and elevating the club into a global brand.Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami’s president of business operations, gives Mr. Messi much of the credit. “Leo changes everything for the better,” Mr. Asensi said. “Since Lionel’s arrival, we reach the U.S. Open Cup final, won the Leagues Cup, won the Supporters’ Shield, a record number of points, qualified for the Champions League, won the MLS Cup, reach another Leagues Cup final, reached the Champions League semifinals and qualified for the Club World Cup.“I think it’s quite obvious and evident that Lionel’s presence on the pitch, along with everything that has surrounded him, has allowed the club to perform better. As a football club, we depend on what happens on the pitch.”Preparing for one more World CupMr. Messi’s presence has also arrived at a pivotal moment for soccer in the United States.The country will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, an event widely expected to deliver record-breaking audiences and unprecedented attention to the sport. Led by Mr. Messi, Argentina is the defending World Cup champion. Much of the focus of the upcoming tournament is whether at age 38, he can deliver another title.Reports indicate that he has intensified his physical preparation with the World Cup firmly in mind. During the offseason, he trained in his hometown of Rosario with a personal conditioning coach, focusing on endurance and injury prevention.When healthy, he remains one of the sport’s most dominant figures, even at age 38. In fact, he stands on the verge of another historic milestone: the 900th goal of his career. Only his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo has previously reached the 900-goal mark among modern players.A legacy still growingFor MLS, the timing could not be more perfect.As the new MLS campaign begins, Inter Miami is the league’s most intriguing team led by Mr. Messi, who has elevated the league’s credibility and visibility just as global attention turns toward North America.The roster remains loaded with international stars. The club’s new stadium promises to become one of soccer’s most distinctive venues. And Mr. Messi, still mesmerizing defenders with the same creativity and precision that defined his prime, continues to defy time.The expectations remain immense. But then again, they always have been wherever Messi has played.From South Florida to the White House, he has met them all.And with the World Cup on the horizon, the final act of one of soccer’s greatest careers may also be the moment that fully cements the sport’s place in America’s mainstream sporting culture.

How Soccer Legend Lionel Messi Transformed MLS in the U.S. and Around the Globe

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