Apple wants to position MLS as the best soccer league in the world after the arrival of Messi

A company as big as Apple knows what it is looking for and, in this case, Major League Soccer is slowly becoming the best soccer league in the world. A great example is how well the MLS Season Pass has done on Apple TV - largely because of Lionel Messi moving to Inter Miami - but now the US league is on most people’s radar.

“When I think about the United States, it’s the biggest country in the world, the country with the most powerful economy in the world. So when I look at soccer, people think it’s crazy, but why wouldn’t we have the best soccer league in the world, why wouldn’t the best players want to play here?” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services at the Soccerex Miami event.

“When I look back 10 years, yes, in my mind, we got into this because we thought together we could build the best soccer league in the world. That’s the goal. We’re trying to be the best. If not, why do it?” he added to the crowd.

Messi leads the way

Along with Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the trident of FC Barcelona legends came together in Miami and, although it was not enough to get them into the MLS playoffs, it was enough for Las Garzas to lift the first title in their history: the Leagues Cup.

“Obviously, right now there’s the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A and everything around it, but you’re starting to see this and Messi wanting to come and play here says a lot. There are a lot of players who are going to want to come and play here and be part of this growth, this opportunity,” Cue added.

Apple’s MLS deal

Importantly, Apple signed a 10-year deal with MLS to be its streaming service and own the broadcasting rights.

The way forward for MLS is clear, if they want to be one of the best leagues in the world, they have to bring in more major signings, just like Inter Miami is doing.