Major League Soccer is riding a wave of excitement following the World Cup, with the league’s biggest star, Lionel Messi, preparing to trade his Argentina jersey for his MLS club’s colors once Sunday’s final is complete.
The league has long relied on a combination of domestic players and internationally recognized names to grow its profile. Former England captain David Beckham helped elevate the league two decades ago when he joined LA Galaxy, and Messi — a Golden Boot contender — has made an equally powerful impact since joining the Beckham-owned MLS franchise three years ago.
Messi’s stunning performances at the World Cup, including two late assists that helped Argentina eliminate England in Wednesday’s semifinal, are expected to make him an even greater attraction when he returns to club play.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber reflected on just how remarkable the moment is. “None of us in the league understood what Messi was when he was playing at Barcelona, other than as fans,” Garber said.
“The fact that he would have a right-footed cross at the last moment — see, I even know what that is — and be able to win a game in front of the world and be in the final, and then take off his Argentina jersey and put on an MLS jersey. I never dreamed that that could happen,” he added.
Garber previously told Reuters that he sees the World Cup being held on American soil as a launching point for a new chapter in the league’s history.
Adding to the league’s star power is Antoine Griezmann, the all-time leading scorer for LaLiga club Atletico Madrid, who recently joined Orlando City as a forward. Griezmann noted that the quality of play in MLS has risen considerably compared to previous years.
“The World Cup also helps so all kinds of American kids can enjoy soccer and want to start kicking a ball,” Griezmann said. “Hopefully, we can put on a show in the stadiums to make kids want to play soccer.”
