MLS
Lionel Messi’s incredible draw for Inter Miami
The Argentine is now the main attraction in MLS and his gravitational pull is helping to bring new players to the league.
Since touching down in Florida last summer, Lionel Messi has changed the game for Inter Miami.
On the pitch he transformed the fortunes of a team stranded at the bottom of the table, leading them to an unlikely Leagues Cup triumph. He has packed out stadiums across the country and brought about a huge surge in subscriptions for the MLS Season Pass.
His astonishing influence was curtailed in 2023 as Inter Miami missed out of playoff qualification but, with the start of the 2024 season still six weeks away, his incredible talents are already proving a major attraction. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is convincing more players to make the move to Miami and to MLS more broadly.
Heron´s head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has already seen two new two star signings, Luis Suárez and Julian Gressel, enter the building. Suarez, a former teammate and close friend of Messi’s, was drawn to the team by the opportunity to reunite with the Argentine. Gressel arrives from MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew, but emphasised that he was “thrilled to be joining such an ambitious organization” when he was unveiled as a Miami player.
Both players would have had numerous offers from other MLS sides, but opted to sign with a team that failed to make it to the post-season last year. Inter Miami are clearly viewed as an appealing prospect since Messi´s arrival.
The Argentine’s influence is such that Mexican star Alexis Vega reportedly told his agent that Inter Miami is one of just three MLS teams that he would consider joining. Boca Juniors youngster Cristian Medina is another to have specified a move to Inter Miami, so he can play with his idol.
South American influx to MLS
Messi’s Miami move saw him arrive in a city with a significant Hispanic population and deep cultural ties to the southern continent. He now counts fellow Argentines Facundo Farías and Tomás Avilés as teammates and has formed a close bond with US-Argentine prospect Benjamin Cremaschi.
The league hopes that these starlets can be part of a wave of young South American talents moving to MLS. After past associations with older players, coming to the end of their careers, promising youngsters are starting to opt for an MLS move.
During the off-season Seattle Sounders have signed Argentinian U-20 international Pedro de la Vega, while Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec looks set to sign for LA Galaxy. While it is difficult to categorically link their imminent arrivals to the lure of Lionel, MLS has gained greater coverage and an added layer of legitimacy by the mere fact that Messi plays there.
He is yet to even commence pre-season with the team in 2024, but Messi´s influence is still clear to see.