Who imagined Lionel Messi to reach the shores of Miami? Not in this lifetime, but it certainly happened, and he won his first major trophy with the club. Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters Shield Cup for finishing the season on top of the table. With the MLS title decided in the playoffs, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino discussed the effects of Messi-mania in Miami.

“To say “we are competing against the best player in the world” and that is something that gives you the possibility of incredible personal growth. I think this is a difficult impact to measure today, it is so big that it is very difficult to measure at the moment, but it is going to have an impact not only in the present, but also over time, in the medium and long term,” said Mauricio Pochettino in an interview with CNN Sports.

Yes, even he is dumbfounded at how the little magician changed the course of the game in the MLS. Despite historically low attendance, the league has seen a noteworthy boost in average attendance numbers. It saw an increase of 22,000 spectators from the previous year, marking a 5% rise. Likewise, the inquisitive nature of the MLS teams continues to increase. They are interested in the players and Pochettino detailed the impact Lionel Messi had on the league.

He continued, “The impact is impossible to measure because it is incredible. Not only on the fans, on everything. The ability to motivate all the people, all the structure around, but the impact of seeing him compete with the players, especially those who are in MLS.”

There is also a factor of pride to watch the Argentine play. Arguably the greatest soccer player who touched the ball, people want to see him play. You never know. This might probably be his last season. Thus, watching Messi live remains something to cherish.

Lionel Messi leaves an everlasting impact on the league!

“Something that it has given is having the possibility of having the best player in the world competing there, being able to see him and touch him. I think that generates confidence and a capacity to believe in the objectives that can be achieved in the future. Unbelievable,” Pochettino concluded.

On the pitch, we all know he is something else. But off the pitch, he has boosted the revenue of Inter Miami and MLS. The MLS fandom rose to the top by 10%. At the same time, an increasing number of individuals are opting for season tickets to avoid missing any matches, with the percentage rising to 15%. Never would anyone imagine Inter Miami jerseys selling like hotcakes. With a 44% increase, you often see the Inter Miami jersey in the house next door.

With Messi in the league, other players try to jump on the ship to have smooth sailing for their future. Hence, Mauricio Pochettino is right. Lionel Messi’s impact cannot be matched unless you are Cristiano Ronaldo, of course!