48 Years After Pele?s Historic New York Debut, Lionel Messi?s Influence on American Soccer Dubbed to Eclipse That of David Beckham

Lionel Messi is ready to start a new chapter and maybe the final one of his club soccer. In surprising events last month, the Argentine wizard chose to play for David Beckham’s Inter Miami. And the impact of the signing was visible. Inter Miami trumped all the MLS, MLB, and NHL teams in the Instagram following.?

They sold all the Inter Miami games out. There’s an impact on the sale of MLS season passes. All this is happening with Leo Messi yet to land in Miami and sign the contract. The dynamics of US soccer are changing as the US is gearing up to organize some massive international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Inter Miami co-owner believes Messi’s signing will have a tremendous impact than any other signing in soccer history in the country.

Lionel Messi will be a game-changer for MLS

Over the years, MLS has seen many soccer stars like Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Gareth Bale joining the US clubs. But the signing that changed MLS altogether was David Beckham in 2007. LA Galaxy landed the United legend in a unique way that saw Beckham taking a significant pay cut. Galaxy gave him a share of all the earnings from tickets to whatever they sold food items at the stadium.

Apart from this, MLS played their part by offering him expansion club rights after retirement for a mere $25 million. His move brought glamor to the MLS, and many European stars followed suit at the twilight of their careers. However, another signing that took soccer to its roots in the country was that of the Late Brazilian legend Pele. He played a significant part in making soccer popular after his debut in 1975.?

READ MORE:?With Inter Miami Ready to Touch $1,000,000,000 Valuation, Lionel Messi Rumored to Eclipse David Beckham?s Shares in the MLS Club

Moreover, he came out of retirement to join the US club New York Cosmos and played for two more years before hanging boots. Pele’s signing brought back the fans in large numbers, resulting in a soccer boom in the US. To date, Pele and Beckham were the most impactful signings in US soccer. But Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas feels Messi will outshine them both.

Speaking to Spanish outlet?El Pais,?Mas said,?“In the history of sports, there are two events here: the arrival of Pel? to the New York Cosmos [in 1975] and that of David Beckham in 2007 in Los Angeles.” “Messi will raise the league to another level. I think he comes wanting to leave his mark. He will do it beyond football. When he retires, he will have a stake in the club,”?Mas added.?

WATCH THIS STORY:?American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams

Given the stature of the World Cup winner with Argentina, Mas may be all right. Let’s brace ourselves for the exciting MLS journey of Lionel Messi that will go beyond the field.?