Last year this time, there were stories that Lionel Messi might make a move to the MLS. Regarding the rumors, commissioner Don Garber said, “It would be terrific for MLS.” Fast forward a year later, and his prediction came true. La Pulga has single-handedly changed the trajectory of Inter Miami and the MLS. Messi has helped rewrite attendance records and won the Herons their first-ever title. His influence hasn’t gone unnoticed as Inter Miami won two awards from the Sports Business Journal. Garber made special mention of the playmaker’s efforts as he lauded the ‘greatest player‘ ever to play the game.

On his X account, Garber praised Inter Miami for winning the SBJ Team of the Year and Deal of the Year awards. Notably, the Herons bested the likes of Kansas City Chiefs for the TOTY award. The Deal of the Year award went to the singing of Lionel Messi. Regarding the same, Garber added, “The signing of Leo Messi was a game-changer, raising the profile of not just the club but of MLS and the entire sport in North America.”

Although Lionel Messi arrived as a free agent, a significant financial outlay was spent on his contract. The Inter Miami star earns around $55 million per year making him the highest-paid athlete in the country. Garber lauded Beckham and those involved in financing the deal. He said, “Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham believed in MLS and made an unprecedented investment in the greatest player to ever play the beautiful game.” In fact, David Beckham has been heralded previously by Garber as the major factor in Messi’s arrival in the MLS.

‘No Lionel Messi without Beckham’ according to the MLS commissioner

Don Garber had singled out the Inter Miami boss as the major catalyst in the signing of Lionel Messi. He said, “There’s no Messi in the MLS if David didn’t come into our league in 2007. It really was the first real statement that MLS can be a league of choice for the top, most well-known players in the world.” Back in Beckham 2007, Beckham was top of the world playing for Real Madrid. When the attacker swapped Los Blancos for LA Galaxy, the entire world took notice. For many, this is the moment that put MLS on the soccer map.

Even after his playing career, Beckham’s fondness for the league remained. Consequently, in 2014, he bought an expansion team for $25 million. However, a delay in getting a stadium deal meant that Inter Miami had to wait until 2020 to make their MLS debut. The lore of Beckham in the soccer world was a major pull in signing Lionel Messi. Garber paid the ultimate tribute to the former Red Devil’s efforts and said, “I can’t imagine what MLS would be like if David didn’t make that decision.” A sentiment that is shared by pretty much everyone in the MLS.