MLS told league is in a 'healthy' state & can survive without Lionel Messi - but big-money offers from Saudi Arabia will stop star names heading to America

Argentine GOAT Messi moved to America in 2023 when linking up with Manchester United legend David Beckham at Inter Miami. He helped to deliver a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival.

The Herons have savoured Supporters’ Shield glory since then, with Messi claiming MVP honours, while also gracing the FIFA Club World. Questions are, however, being asked of how long their iconic No.10 will be sticking around.

Messi is yet to trigger a 12-month extension option in his contract, taking him through the 2026 World Cup, with speculation building regarding a potential move elsewhere - with big-spending teams in the Saudi Pro League reportedly ready to reunite him with eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The riches on offer in the Middle East are making it hard for MLS teams to compete for the biggest of names, but Terry Phelan believes more stars will head to the States. A man that spent time with Charleston Battery in his playing days, speaking with bookmaker Betfree, told GOAL when asked if the MLS bubble will burst without Messi: “I don’t think it bursts. You have had [Didier] Drogba over there, you’ve had [Thierry] Henry, had Beckham over there. It never burst.

“I think MLS is healthy. Look at the numbers, if you look at the attendances, it’s healthy. They have got the World Cup coming next year. I think it’s in a healthy state.

“There will always be one or two stars. You might get a [Robert] Lewandowski over there, coming to the end of his career. There are still those players about at the end of their careers that might go over there - like [Luis] Suarez has gone over there at the end of his career. You will always pick somebody up like that who will regenerate and excite the fan base.”

Phelan added on MLS and the issue of trying to compete with rivals that boast deeper pockets: “Where does he go next, Beckham? What does he look at next? The days of your Frank Lampards, your Henrys, your [Wayne] Rooneys, your Robbie Keanes, they are hard to find now.

“I think, later on in your life you maybe want to go to America. Those going to America, now they are going to go to Saudi Arabia for the money. That’s what you have got to compete against, it’s money now. You look at the players in Saudi Arabia, some of those that have gone there are middle aged.”

Household names continue to head to the United States, with World Cup-winning Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller preparing to link up with LAFC. Inter Miami and MLS are, however, hoping that Messi will agree to spend at least 12 more months in South Florida.