The soccer world was rocked by the much-awaited move of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami this year. The Argentine superstar’s entrance into the United States significantly changed the landscape of the MLS. But it also seems to have had a significant effect on others associated with the sport. In a candid revelation, a former Real Madrid star has come forward to discuss how La Pulga’s move to the Herons personally impacted him while reflecting on decisions he made in his career. 

‘Domino effect’ is what Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez calls Lionel Messi’s arrival in the States. From Pele’s NASL era with the New York Cosmos to Carlos Valderrama in the 90s and David Beckham in the mid-2000s, the striker said the arrival of such influential players has helped the league in the long run. 

Chicharito opens up on how Messi’s arrival in MLS made him confident about past decisions

La Galaxy star Chicharito Hernandez recently opened up about the USA’s talk of the town, Lionel Messi. The 35-year-old talked about his own experiences, admitting that he decided to leave elite European soccer to explore a higher financial offer from the LA Galaxy in Los Angeles. “I left Sevilla because they didn’t give me the opportunities they promised me,” he said while speaking to AS. Chicharito believes that staying in the MLS has been a wise move, even though his main objective is to improve a team that hasn’t won any championships yet. 

In his view, the league is becoming more competitive and drawing the interest of more soccer players due to the presence of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. “I made that decision that was going to be in the medium and long term. And now I don’t need to be told that Chicharito was right, that’s not what it’s about. But I decided something right so that later the winner of the Ballon d’Or decided to come (United States).” It seems Chicharito is proud of the fact that a Ballon d’Or winner is representing the MLS. 

READ MORE: Lionel Messi Reveals ‘The Most Difficult Thing to Adapt’ in Miami Since Moving to United States

MLS is difficult for Lionel Messi 

Several months ago, Lionel Messi commented on the MLS, emphasizing that the league is indeed challenging. While speaking about the Leagues Cup in a press conference, he said, “The truth is, all the games were really close, super competitive, anyone can beat anyone. It seems to me that’s how it is in the [MLS] too.”

Ironically, Lionel Messi’s arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, declared that “The Saudi league is better than MLS,” when asked if he would consider moving to the United States. Despite Messi scoring goals and assists, La Pulga’s take on MLS suggests that MLS is competitive too. 

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