Over the years, soccer has gradually gained traction in the United States. Amid this, the recent arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami has undeniably elevated the sport’s popularity to new heights. Soccer enthusiasts and celebrities alike have flocked to stadiums to witness one of the greatest players of all time in action. With viewership records being shattered left and right, it is safe to say that Messi has revolutionized the soccer scene in America. However, amidst all the madness surrounding Messi, one individual seems to have overshadowed even the Argentine superstar – Gerard Pique.

While Pique might have hung up his boots, the former Barcelona and Manchester United defender has remained closely connected to the sport. That is through his unique endeavor – the Kings League. Despite being in its infancy, the Kings League has managed to captivate the attention of sports fans across the globe. With two successful seasons under its belt, it has quickly become a force to be reckoned with.

America’s top sports leagues take a backseat to Gerard Pique’s Kings League

The Kings League has adopted a modern approach to showcasing its matches. The league primarily relies on the popular streaming platform, Twitch, to live-stream all its games. However, it is the league’s presence on the social media platform TikTok that has truly set it apart from its counterparts. With a monumental following of 6.2 million on TikTok, the Kings League has garnered an unprecedented level of viewership.

Dive Deeper: “It’s the Most Sincere Thing I Can Talk” – Despite Tasting Success, Gerard Pique Given Harsh Reality Check by Best Friend

In July alone, the official Kings League TikTok channel amassed a staggering 260 million views on its posts. This number has solidified its position as the most-watched sports league on the platform. Surpassing highly regarded leagues such as Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

With 251 million views, MLB finds itself in a close second place. Interestingly, it is worth noting that despite all the hype surrounding Lionel Messi’s transition to MLS, the league’s viewership on TikTok falls substantially behind that of the Kings League. With 172 million views, the MLS takes up third place.

The NFL and NBA, two of America’s most popular sports leagues, also find themselves relegated to lower positions in terms of TikTok viewership. While the NFL boasts an impressive 74 million views, it pales in comparison to the Kings League’s figures. Likewise, the NBA, with 64.5 million views, trails behind in fifth place. The success of the Kings League on TikTok can be attributed to its ability to connect with a younger demographic that is heavily oriented toward social media. Despite these stats, there is no denying the impact Messi has made on the American soccer scene.

Lionel Messi has taken the MLS by storm

The excitement surrounding Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami is off the charts. The hype train started rolling with his debut, which drew top celebrities like Lebron James, Serena Williams, and Kim Kardashian who were eager to see the Argentine play in Miami’s iconic pink colors. Remarkably, this match also set a new record as the most-watched soccer game on US TV, attracting an impressive 12.5 million viewers.

Since then, all of Messi’s matches have been held in packed stadiums, showcasing his immense popularity. Now, tickets for Inter Miami’s upcoming game against FC Dallas – which marks Messi’s first away game with his new team – sold out in just 22 minutes. Despite ticket prices reaching around $20,000, fans are scrambling to witness Lionel Messi in action. The demand is unprecedented.

WATCH THIS STORY | NFL Star’s Wife Celebrates Soccer Greatest Lionel Messi’s Miami Transfer with Unbridled Joy

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.