Explained: Why Lionel Messi’s impact in MLS is different to that of ‘celebrity’ Man Utd, Real Madrid & LA Galaxy legend David Beckham

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is now working with Manchester United, Real Madrid and England legend Beckham at Inter Miami – with the former LA Galaxy star a co-owner in Florida. He helped to raise the profile of American soccer when moving to California in 2007, with the door opened for more big names to make their way to the United States.

Messi headed down that path when becoming a free agent at Paris Saint-Germain and has hit 11 goals for Inter Miami through as many appearances – helping them to a historic Leagues Cup crown. MLS vice-president Nelson Rodriguez has said at the Ole Sports Summit of having the Argentine icon in America: “Messi is different from Beckham: he was a celebrity, and they knew him outside the sports pages while Leo won everything in sports, with class and humility. He is a father with three children, who dedicates goals to them. Seeing that the giants of American sports want to see him shows the respect that he carries around the world.”

Messi has attracted A-list guests to Inter Miami games, with the likes of LeBron James, Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio and Selena Gomez among those to have snapped up tickets. Rodriguez added on the long-term impact that Messi will have on MLS: “The numbers are incredible. And the impact will not be measured for another 10, 15 or 20 years. It is a pride that he has chosen Inter Miami and the MLS to follow his career.”

Inter Miami were without Messi for their latest fixture, as he is away on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina, but they were still able to emerge victorious in his absence and remain in the hunt for a play-off spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.