Messi’s Miami Debut Ushers in Unprecedented Popularity and Prosperity for MLS

There are times when you pay to see teams play like Washington Commanders fans, Baltimore Orioles fans, and Cleveland Browns fans. But then there are times when you pay to see a certain athlete play like paying to see Michael Jordan play for the Chicago Bulls, Lebron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now Lionel Messi for Inter Miami CF. 

Nobody cares about watching the Miami soccer team. They’re the worst team in the Eastern Conference. But tonight, the stadium was packed only because arguably the greatest footballer of all time is debuting in North American soccer for the Miami soccer team, Lional Messi. His arrival not only catalyzed a thrilling win for Inter Miami CF but also seems poised to significantly bolster the popularity and financial prosperity of MLS.

Lionel Messi’s debut win isn’t just another addition to the Argentine maestro’s colossal achievements; it’s a beacon that will illuminate new paths for soccer in America. For years, MLS has been striving to compete with the traditional American sports behemoths, namely the NFL, NBA, and MLB. With Messi’s arrival, the balance of power may finally be shifting. Soccer in the United States is primed to experience a surge in fan following and revenues, potentially even eclipsing the hallowed American pastime – baseball.

Messi’s soccer prowess is, without doubt, a spectacle that fans around the world pay to witness. Every Messi dribble, every assist, every goal is worth its weight in gold, and soccer enthusiasts flock in hordes to catch the phenomenon live. Messi’s move to Miami is not just about a footballer transferring clubs; it’s an international icon bringing his global following to the MLS. This move promises to boost the league’s viewership, merchandise sales, and overall fan engagement, driving substantial revenues in the process.

Already, we’ve seen Messi jerseys flying off the shelves, ticket sales for Miami matches skyrocketing, and digital platforms buzzing with increased engagement around MLS content. The Messi effect has also piqued the interest of sponsors and advertisers who see a massive opportunity in tapping into this newfound soccer craze.

Since its inception in 1993, MLS has steadily been making strides in the American sports landscape. However, it’s the recent years that have seen a pronounced shift in its favor. According to a Gallup poll, soccer was the favorite sport of 7% of Americans in 2018, only one percentage point behind baseball. The tide has been turning, and Messi’s arrival might just be the powerful wave that pushes soccer ahead.

Baseball, the sport often referred to as America’s pastime, has been facing a challenge in terms of declining viewership, especially among younger audiences. The younger generation is increasingly gravitating towards fast-paced, exciting sports, and soccer fits the bill perfectly. Messi’s arrival, with its global appeal and charismatic presence, can potentially expedite this shift.

When I was a kid I dreamed of playing basketball or football, and a bit of baseball. I never dreamed about soccer. I had a short term desire to play soccer when I watched the 1990s movie The Big Green, but without the real world influence of soccer in the United States, that desire was short lived. With AppleTV bringing a subscription service to the MLS and with Messi’s arrival to America, the next generation has a good chance of seeing soccer become more popular in the U.S. and will have a stronger interest in learning the sport.

While Messi’s presence will undoubtedly boost the sport’s popularity in the short run, it is also crucial to leverage this momentum to secure soccer’s future in the US. Messi is 36 years old. That’s pretty old for a professional soccer player, but he’s also considered one of the best just as Lebron James is going on over 20 years in the NBA, but is also considered one of the best to ever play the game. But the MLS as a whole needs to capitalize on Messi’s appearance with Initiatives to develop local talent, engage with grassroots communities, and enhance stadium experiences to run parallel to the immediate benefits reaped from Messi’s stardom. 

Lionel Messi’s debut win in Miami has set the stage for a new chapter in American soccer. It’s a chapter brimming with potential and promises of growth, both in popularity and financial prosperity. If these trends continue, we may be witnessing a significant transformation where MLS grows to rival, and perhaps even surpass, baseball in the United States. This is not just a win for Inter Miami CF or MLS, but a triumph for soccer in America. I’m excited to watch more of Messi. Hopefully, America will start to produce worldwide stars and the MLS won’t solely survive off of signing near retired superstars from overseas.