MLS
MLS wants to change its image to become one of the world’s best leagues
The league want to change their reputation from a ‘retirement league’ to one of the best in the world.
Little by little, transfer by transfer, MLS has been leaving behind its bad reputation. At the beginning it was considered the ideal league to spend one’s final years in football, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Raúl González and David Beckham as the best examples.
However, in recent years, Don Garber’s league has gone through a major facelift to try to become the most powerful league in the continent, with Brazil at the top of the tree. The board of directors has set out a clear path, signing promising young players in order to promote them and obtain a financial gain on their sale to Europe.
Messi the first step in a new era
Possibly the most ambitious plan in the history of the United States is taking its course step by step. The arrival of Leo Messi to Inter Miami’s galáctico project was the first stone of the cathedral that will be created. The mere presence of the Argentine star has already increased the competitiveness within the MLS, creating the perfect breeding ground for the young gems to consider MLS as a stepping stone before Europe. In economic terms, MLS has been able to compete on a level playing field with the European game.
The most obvious current case could be that of Thiago Almada. In his time at Vélez Sarsfield, the player was considered the hottest project in Argentina, valued higher even than Julián Álvarez himself. While La Araña did not hesitate and went to the Premier League, Almada held on: parallel lives, but different endings. While one has won everything with Pep Guardiola, the other is patiently waiting to make a leap that has ended up nowhere as of yet.
Argentina overtaken by MLS
The United States has found in Argentina a particular market when it comes to reinforcements. Not only because of the salary, where US money means Argentina can’t compete, but also because of the lifestyle; the United States has become the ideal destination for many Argentine players. For this transfer market alone, players such as ‘Pepo’ de la Vega of Lanús or Santiago Castro of Vélez Sarsfield have already been rumoured to arrive one day in North America. MLS is no longer just an exotic retirement destination, MLS has talent.