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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi moved to America in summer of 2023</li><li>Teen sensation Sullivan made MLS debut a year later</li><li>Both helping to raise profile of game in the States</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

USMNT prospect Cavan Sullivan hails Lionel Messi's 'astronomical' impact on MLS as he credits Inter Miami superstar for showing American fans how 'fun' soccer can be

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Philadelphia Union

<p>Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-beckham-reveals-why-lionel-messi-agreed-mls-move-inter-miami-dream-argentine-goat/blt4512ac37b62ab713" target="_blank">Messi made his way to the United States in the summer of 2023</a>. He made an immediate first impression, with a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/unplayable-lionel-messi-ultimate-first-impression-nashville-boss-inspiring-inter-miami-leagues-cup-glory/blt2dc124fc5defc69a " target="_blank">historic Leagues Cup triumph being savoured</a> by Inter Miami a matter of weeks after his arrival.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi has gone on to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">claim Supporters’ Shield honours</a>, breaking more records in the process, while also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wasnt-my-mvp-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-reacts-lionel-messi-award-inter-miami-superstar-named-best-mls-2024/bltf4316515654b3054" target="_blank">earning MVP recognition in MLS</a> for the 2024 campaign. He is back in the hunt for major silverware this term, although his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-luis-suarez-playing-lionel-messi-rested-inter-miami-selection-calls-explained-ex-barcelona-superstars-treated-differently-mls/blt8d9b2e957c15341c" target="_blank">game time is being carefully managed</a> at present.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>A year after Messi arrived in America, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wonderkids-lamine-yamal-cavan-sullivan-lionel-messi-uswnt-jaedyn-shaw-inter-miami-superstars-future/blt17cc549ed30325fe" target="_blank">teenage wonderkid Sullivan made his MLS debut</a> for the Philadelphia Union. He was just 14 at the time and now has a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wonderkids-assemble-kai-rooney-meets-man-city-bound-teenager-cavan-sullivan-future-stars-man-utd-usmnt-derby-etihad-stadium/blt402d05f46faeab4a" target="_blank">move to Premier League giants Manchester City lined up</a>, which will be completed when he turns 18.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Sullivan is considered to be the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-hopeful-cavan-sullivan-lionel-messi-meeting-teenage-wonderkid-explaining-fearless-mentality-argentine-goat/blt516cb07c522df1a4#cs964d85de4c22e8b6" target="_blank">hottest of prospects, landing a spot in the Messi+10 documentary series</a>, but has told <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-manchester-city-interview " target="_blank"><em>FIFA’s official website</em></a> of how Argentina’s sporting GOAT has changed the game for everybody: “It’s pretty apparent that stadiums have sold out, tickets have been sold, more television viewers, just his impact on world football has been astronomical. </p><p>“Obviously, non-soccer fans are buying tickets to watch him play and then they turn into soccer fans. That's what I like to see here in the country. </p><p>“These past few years, American soccer has jumped a lot of levels, but there are still people who aren’t aware of how fun and how the beautiful game can be so [enjoyable]. It’s good to see people switch over to watching soccer.”</p>

WHAT CAVAN SULLIVAN SAID

<p>Messi has brought the fun factor to MLS – <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/paul-pogba-lionel-messi-crowd-inter-miami-mls-new-york-city-fc-doping-ban/blt7878313edaf111bb" target="_blank">attracting plenty of A-list guests</a> to the fixtures that he graces – while also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-legend-david-beckham-reveals-fun-inter-miami-request-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-sergio-busquets/blt311e8da01207d239" target="_blank">working with Manchester United legend David Beckham</a> in South Florida. He has a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-stay-inter-miami-2026-happy-claim-alexis-mac-allister-argentina-international-future-mls-world-cup-trophy-defence/blte1763b48093403e0" target="_blank">12-month extension option in his contract</a> that would take him through 2026 and the next World Cup finals.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

USMNT prospect Cavan Sullivan hails Lionel Messi's 'astronomical' impact on MLS as he credits Inter Miami superstar for showing American fans how 'fun' soccer can be | Goal.com UK

USMNT prospect Cavan Sullivan has hailed the “astronomical” impact that Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has made on MLS.

USMNT prospect Cavan Sullivan hails Lionel Messi&apos;s &apos;astronomical&apos; impact on MLS as he credits Inter Miami superstar for showing American fans how &apos;fun&apos; soccer can be

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