With Lionel Messi announcing his intent to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, it’s a good time to take a look back at where this sport was and where it’s headed thanks to all the legendary stars who have graced this country with their soccer presence . Numerous big names, including some of the top 10 greatest players ever, have played in the United States, be it during the NASL days or with MLS, helping to raise awareness of the sport in this country every day.
But where does Messi’s move to MLS rank among the biggest the sport has ever seen in this country? Let’s dig in:
Honorable Mention: Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls; Kaka, Orlando City SC, Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy; Franz Beckenbauer, NY Cosmos; Eusebio, Boston Minutemen; Bobby Moore, the San Antonio Thunder; George Best, LA Aztecs; Gerd Muller, Strikers of Fort Lauderdale.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy
This is a man who signed for the Galaxy as a free agent after leaving Manchester United and put a full page advert in it The Los Angeles Times where all there was was:
Dear Los Angeles,
Don’t mention it.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
#9, LA Galaxy
While he didn’t win any trophies, he was, as expected, unstoppable, including an amazing brace from the bench in his debut against LAFC, including a half-volley from close midfield.
He went on to make 58 appearances for the club, scoring 53 times, including a 31-goal season in 2019 before returning to AC Milan.
He was still a world star when he came to a good place with the sport in this country, but his impact was felt by every opponent.
His career ended with a playoff loss to LAFC and a gesture to a fan to grab the crotch.
4. Johan Cruyff, LA Aztecs
Cruyff’s arrival at NASL in 1979 came after his iconic years with FC Barcelona and a brief retirement. He and his family came to the US after dropping out at age 31 and signing a deal with the Los Angeles Aztecs after actually playing a few exhibition games for the Cosmos.
Cruyff is widely recognized as one of the top five players of all time, and I would put him at the 1B level under the lines of Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona. That’s my top three, followed by Cruijff and Zinedine Zidane.
He played one season and was NASL Player of the Year before moving to the Washington Diplomats, making the NASL one of the very best players ever, just as the sport was in its infancy here.
3.David Beckham, LA Galaxy
This was the movement that really helped put MLS on the map worldwide. Here you had Beckham, the sharp-looking tattooed superstar with pop star wife Victoria Beckham, ‘Posh Spice’, the dream couple making their way to Los Angeles.
Beckham was one of the most popular sports figures in the world at the time and left Real Madrid to join MLS on a free transfer, becoming the league’s first-ever designated player.
He helped raise awareness for the club and the league, playing quite well during his tenure and winning two MLS Cups. Although there were some bumps in the road, including controversial moves to AC Milan.
He would then join Paris Saint-Germain for five months before retiring.
Beckham’s deal with the Galaxy enabled him to earn future ownership in MLS. He bought Inter Miami for $25 million, the club is now valued at around $600 million, and the franchise is expected to potentially approach $1 billion with Messi joining.
This one worked for all parties involved, great.
When he joined in 2007, MLS was in its 12th season and had 13 clubs and an average attendance of 16,770. Total attendance was 3.2 million.
The 2022 season will feature 28 teams, an average attendance of over 21,000 and a total attendance of over 10 million.
2. Pele, NY Cosmos
For many, he is the greatest who ever played. The late Pele appeared to be a one-club man after nearly two decades with Santos where he won everything imaginable. But the three-time World Cup winner would make the jump to the United States in 1975 as the big signing of the NASL and the New York Cosmos. He played 107 games, scored 66 goals and won the 1977 Soccer Bowl 2-1 against the Seattle Sounders.
Credited with raising the awareness and popularity of the sport, there was so much buzz about his arrival that swarms of fans actually injured him and he had to be removed on a stretcher, according to him. The New York Times.
“Someone took off their shoe and pants,” said Clive Toye, general manager of the Cosmos. “I don’t think he’s very hurt.”
Stadiums would be filled to watch Pele play until he walked away from the game in 1977.
Until recently, Pele and Maradona have always been seen as the best player ever, and there is no doubt that Pele’s arrival has been the biggest move in football in US history…for now.
1. Messi, Internazionale
This takes the cake and for many reasons. Messi is the best player who ever played. You can argue about it all you want, but winning the World Cup froze it if there was any doubt before. Sure, the eras are different and you can debate all day long, as we regularly see in the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James discussion in the NBA, but Messi has been consistently incredible everywhere he’s gone and has seriously won everything you can think of. He is the favorite to win the next Ballon d’Or after leading Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986. what was a dysfunctional situation in Paris.
Sure, there is no best and best Messi, but there are many who will tell you that he is still the best player in the world right now, even at 35 years old.
What his move does for MLS is enough. The league now has the icon they’ve always wanted, someone who will blow Beckham’s arrival out of the water and it won’t even come close. Every Inter Miami away game will be sold outall home games will be sold out, and don’t be shocked if this opens the door for MLS clubs somehow joining the Copa Libertadores just because of Conmebol’s eagerness to get in on the action.
Assuming he stays here for a few years, he will be the face of the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup and will have the chance to defend both titles in his new home.
Every MLS club will benefit from the arrival of Messi, the league will only continue to grow as a result, and exponentially so with the Barcelona legend here.
The best player ever is coming to the MLS, and the league now has the springboard to really take the next steps it needs to continue to compete with the best leagues in the world.
