Mls Chief Makes Debatable Lionel Messi Claim As Playoffs Begin

MLS commissioner Don Garber boldly claimed that Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi has “reset nan trajectory” of nan league. By immoderate metrics, Messi’s presence has coincided pinch a downward trend.

Garber struck a assured reside arsenic he presented nan Argentine skipper pinch his Golden Boot grant aft 29 goals successful nan regular MLS play connected Friday night. Messi promptly added 2 much to his tally during a 3–1 triumph complete Nashville SC successful nan opening necktie of Inter Miami’s best-of-three Round One playoff series.

“I don’t deliberation we ever could person imagined that Leo would person been capable to present for this club, for this metropolis and for this convention nan measurement he had,” Garber gushed up of kickoff, buoyed further by nan news that Messi would beryllium extending his enactment successful southbound Florida until 2028.

“He has reset nan trajectory for Major League Soccer,” nan commissioner continued, “and we were already doing beautiful well. And I deliberation having 3 much years is conscionable going to beryllium different gift. Hopefully, it’s nan gift that keeps connected giving. It’s been conscionable a thrill to watch him play and to spot really happy he is present successful Miami and present successful nan United States.”

There is small doubting Garber’s glowing praise of Messi’s on-pitch excellence, seldom has that ever been questioned, but his effect connected nan convention astatine ample is little concrete.

Lionel Messi is chasing a historical 2nd MLS MVP award. / Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

As John Muller highlighted successful The Guardian this week, mean MLS attendances person endured a 5.5% year-on-year drop. Apple TV’s decision to region nan request for an MLS Pass add-on to watch this year’s playoffs doesn’t propose that nan request is peculiarly rampant.

Inter Miami person surely felt nan effect of Messi’s marque power.

The nine co-founded by David Beckham successful 2018 was weighted astatine astir $600 cardinal earlier they secured nan services of arguably nan greatest shot subordinate of each time. As of 2025, that valuation now stands astatine $1.2 billion, per Forbes. Revenues person enjoyed a akin spike but nan wealthiness hasn’t been notably dispersed astir MLS.

Even Miami aren’t a guaranteed sellout pinch Messi successful tow. There were scores of quiet seats dotted astir Chase Stadium for nan first playoff fixture of nan season, pinch tickets disposable for arsenic small arsenic $28 2 hours up of kickoff.

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