Fans in the United States have seen some of the best soccer in the past ten months following Lionel Messi‘s move to Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar has surely elevated the league, helping bring in big names like Luis Suarez, Olivier Giroud, and others to the United States. However, not everyone is impressed with the standards, with former Premier League club owner Simon Jordan ripping into MLS’s standards.

During the latest episode of UpFront on YouTube, Simon Jordan went all in while describing the quality of the game in MLS. Jordan stated, “Of course [Messi] is a wonder on the field but they can’t pass the ball to him ’cause they aren’t good enough. [Luis] Suarez looks like he belongs in a wheelchair. The quality of football is League Two, League One at the very best. It disappointed me to see Messi in that space.”

Though Simon Jordan did not shy away from criticizing the standards in the MLS, it is important to understand the league is in a growing phase. Despite having so many big stars over the years, the league has never received such massive exposure. While Jordan’s words seem harsh, teams in the MLS surely need to work their game around in the upcoming seasons to establish the league as one of the top leagues, rather than a retirement project for senior players.

That being said, the upcoming transfer window could see some massive deals go through, increasing the star power of the MLS even more.

Will Kevin De Bruyne and Marco Reus follow Lionel Messi to the United States?

Marco Reus played his final game for Borussia Dortmund last week. Now, with the German being a free agent, reports suggest that he is on the radar of multiple MLS teams, with LA Galaxy emerging as the most likely destination. Meanwhile, Manchester City icon Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his desire to play outside Europe following his stint with the Sky Blues.

While securing De Bruyne’s signature could be a tough deal, the MLS has shown they can offer noteworthy deals to players like Lionel Messi and Lorenzo Insigne. MLS could receive stiff competition from top Saudi Arabian clubs once KDB hits free agency, and the type of deal and its value could go a long way for both sides. What are your thoughts on Lionel Messi’s impact on the growth of MLS? Let us know in the comments below.