?In Mexico, We Are One Step Ahead? ? as Lionel Messi Nears Inter Miami Debut, Liga MX Legend Blasts MLS as a ?Marketing? League

MLS has been making rounds since Lionel Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami. The move will make Messi the highest-paid athlete on US soil. It was unclear when Messi would start playing for struggling Miami. But recently, co-owner Jorge Mas has given an update that the Argentine will debut on July 21.?

Meanwhile, amid all these speculations over Messi’s Inter Miami debut, the Liga MX superstar has taken a jibe at MLS. The former French international has compared the Mexican and American leagues. Let’s dive deeper to know the statement of the Tigres legend.

MLS focuses more on marketing than on the soccer

Mexico and the United States are two neighboring nations with immense soccer rivalry. We have already seen it in the recent CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. The intensely fought game saw four red cards shown. The same rivalry goes on when Liga MX clubs play MLS in the continental cups. The Mexican league superstar Andre-Pierre Gignac has slammed MLS.

Gignac recently said,?“MLS is pure marketing. We are at a higher level. I still believe that, in Mexico we are one step ahead in soccer.”?Compared to Liga MX, MLS is widely popular. Most European superstars prefer a move to the US rather than Mexico. Moreover, when it comes to broadcasting, MLS outshines the Mexican league. Also, MLS clubs trump the Liga MX clubs in the valuation and income they generate.?

But what happens when it comes to soccer? The clubs from both leagues face each other in CONCACAF Champions League. The continental tournament includes clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Earlier, it was known as CONCACAF Champion’s Cup till 2008. When we take a look at the history of the Champions League since 2009, Mexican clubs have dominated the competition.?

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Liga MX clubs have won the competition 14 times out of 15 since 2009, compared to once by a MLS club. Moreover, ten Mexican clubs finished runners-up during the same period. So was Gignac pointing out these facts? MLS fans could hope things change with Lionel Messi’s arrival.

Can Lionel Messi help MLS to attract talent from Europe?

Messi is one of the GOATs of soccer. His impact on the sport is immense and will help MLS in the long run. Inter Miami won the race for the Argentine, and his signing can is game-changing for the club. MLS believes his arrival can help the MLS clubs attract talents, especially from Europe.

After Messi’s arrival, David Beckham’s club also signed former Barcelona superstar Sergio Busquets. Those are two massive signing signings for the club languishing at the bottom of the table. It will help the club commercially as well as on the field. The fans can dream of massive changes coming in the future for MLS.

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Do you agree with Gignac’s statement? Will Lionel Messi help MLS to become more competitive?