MLS warned about a league without 'kingpin' Lionel Messi as ex-New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips makes 'longer fix' plea

For now, U.S. soccer continues to benefit from the presence of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. Where he goes, stadiums sell out and A-list guests flock to catch a glimpse of the Argentine GOAT in action.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!

Stream games now

Messi inspired Inter Miami to Leagues Cup success within weeks of his arrival in Florida, while the 2024 campaign delivered Supporters’ Shield glory in record-breaking fashion and MVP honours.

Inevitable questions are being asked of what happens when the iconic South American packs his bags and heads elsewhere. Who will become the face of MLS and can interest around the world be retained when Messi is no longer the star attraction?

Responding to that poser, former New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips - speaking to GOAL via Lottoland, Football Betting - said: “That is the thing with the way that America are doing it.

“They are getting a lot of big superstars when they are at the back end of their careers. They build a lot of publicity around those players, whoever they may be. At the minute the kingpin is obviously Messi, but [Sergio] Busquets is there as well, [Luis] Suarez, Jordi Alba, they have got a lot of big names over there now.

“But when they do retire, they do the same thing again - they look for the next batch of players at that age. For a time that does raise the standard and publicity around it, but it’s short lived. They need to find a longer fix and have a player of that calibre come to America and play his career there. They may have to create their own.”

Getty Images

MLS does not have to worry about Messi leaving any time soon. The expectation is that a 12-month extension option in his contract for 2026 will be taken up, meaning that long-term plans for the future do not need to be rushed through.