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

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi made his way to the United States in the summer of 2023. He made an immediate first impression, with a historic Leagues Cup triumph being savoured by Inter Miami a matter of weeks after his arrival.

Messi has gone on to claim Supporters’ Shield honours, breaking more records in the process, while also earning MVP recognition in MLS for the 2024 campaign. He is back in the hunt for major silverware this term, although his game time is being carefully managed at present.

A year after Messi arrived in America, teenage wonderkid Sullivan made his MLS debut for the Philadelphia Union. He was just 14 at the time and now has a move to Premier League giants Manchester City lined up, which will be completed when he turns 18.

Sullivan is considered to be the hottest of prospects, landing a spot in the Messi+10 documentary series, but has told FIFA’s official website 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.

“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.

“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.”

Messi has brought the fun factor to MLS – attracting plenty of A-list guests to the fixtures that he graces – while also working with Manchester United legend David Beckham in South Florida. He has a 12-month extension option in his contract that would take him through 2026 and the next World Cup finals.