Lionel Messi‘s move to the MLS has been a revelation for the United States. The Argentine superstar has become the face of the nation’s soccer industry, bringing fresh eyes to the product. Both MLS and NWSL have profited from the phenomenon, with the leagues generating better revenue and viewership in recent months. However, while La Pulga has brought a notable impact within the country, it seems like he still has a long way to go before he can serve as a needle-mover on the global stage!

Messi’s move to Inter Miami has brought a wave of income to Inter Miami, with the club witnessing a staggering 74% increase in revenue streams. The club’s finances have also shown a massive leap, with the Herons breaching the $1 billion valuation following a $500 million boost with Messi’s arrival. MLS, too, has benefited from the transfer, with the league recording an increase in viewership across multiple platforms.

While everything has been on track within the United States, the global market seems to be a different ball game altogether. According to reports from the Athletic, both MLS and NWSL have a long path before they can even break into the upper echelon. Based on the info available from user searches on Google, the Women’s Super League recorded the biggest increase rate, with the league registering a massive 258% hike.

In comparison, both MLS and NWSL are nowhere close to the WSL, despite the Lionel Messi effect. 2023 saw MLS receive an 87% increase in their search rate, while the NWSL also broke into the top 10 competitions with a 50% increase. While these statistics might disappoint people behind the scenes, the United States still has a massive opportunity to find its break with the nation set to host the Copa America in 2024, followed by the World Cup in 2026.

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Does the USA have a project to capitalize on Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami?

While it is critical to give credit to Lionel Messi for his impact, we cannot forget that he isn’t the first superstar to move over to the nation. The likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović have already graced the nation, with their presence in an era before Lionel Messi to boost the soccer landscape in the nation.

There is no doubt the United States has a perfect opportunity to capitalize on Messi’s popularity. However, claiming that the nation doesn’t have what it takes to foster the sport after his exit is an outrageous claim. They have been doing it for years, and it doesn’t seem like they will be stopping anytime soon.

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