‘MLS teams don’t get invited’ – Lionel Messi’s ‘enormous’ impact at Inter Miami explained by former USMNT star Brad Friedel as Argentine icon puts American game on the A-list

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opted to head for the United States as a free agent when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. The former Barcelona star had offers from all over the world – including approaches from Camp Nou and Saudi Arabia – but decided to relocate his family to Florida.

He has already lifted major silverware in Miami, while being crowned the FIFA Best Men’s Player for a third time, and has attracted more eyes to the domestic game in America than ever before. Messi is starring on and off the pitch, with a historic international tour currently being taken in as part of a hectic pre-season programme.

Former USMNT goalkeeper Friedel has told LiveScore of how the all-time great has opened doors that previously remained bolted to teams in the States: “The second Messi signed, his face was everywhere, pink Inter Miami shirts were everywhere and on billboards. The impact has been enormous. The impact for Apple TV has been enormous, the impact in all the stadiums he travels to has been enormous. Just look at the pre-season tour. They’re getting invited to go play in El Salvador, then they’re going to Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia. MLS teams don’t usually get invited to games like that. The impact is enormous, probably bigger than anyone could have imagined.”

The Herons are in the Middle East at present, where they have already faced Al-Hilal and are due to lock horns with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Thursday. From there they will head to Hong Kong and Japan, before returning to America for a MLS season opener against Real Salt Lake on February 21.