Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Alexander-Arnold making January move to Real Madrid ‘impossible’

Henry hides his face after Abdo's embarrassing mistake 

Mac Allister 'sued by ex-girlfriend' following post-WC win split

‘Like if Argentina turned on Messi’ – Could Mbappe retire?

'Bad and ugly criticism' - Deco hits out at 'evil' attack on Roque

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine moved to the States in 2023</li><li>Made immediate impact on &amp; off the pitch</li><li>Chasing down more honours in 2024</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He has changed everything' - Inter Miami chief hails Lionel Messi's impact on MLS as he compares eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to NBA legend Michael Jordan

<p>Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">Messi moved to the United States in 2023</a> when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. The Barcelona legend became a free agent and was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-beckham-reveals-why-lionel-messi-agreed-mls-move-inter-miami-dream-argentine-goat/blt4512ac37b62ab713" target="_blank">lured to Florida by David Beckham and Inter Miami’s ownership team</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The Argentine icon has been a revelation in the States, on and off the pitch, with his presence – while remaining fiercely competitive in pursuit of major honours – <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">helping to raise the profile of MLS</a>. Every game that he graces sparks a scramble for tickets, with plenty of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-no1-inter-miami-superstar-ranked-coolest-above-lebron-james-serena-williams-kim-kardashian/bltdca6f8797dda84cc" target="_blank">A-list guests eager to watch him in action</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Inter Miami co-president Xavier Asensi has told those at 'The future of clubs in the new world of football' debate held at the College of Economists of Catalonia of why <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/like-seeing-michael-jordan-greatest-why-tickets-lionel-messi-show-inter-miami-remain-expensive/blt630bce8421fa19c0" target="_blank">Messi can be likened to NBA great Jordan</a>: “For MLS there is a before and after Messi. He has changed everything. People can be from any team, but they go to the field to see Messi. He is the only example comparable to Jordan.”</p>

WHAT ASENSI SAID

<p>Asensi added on how the Herons set about <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-prime-lionel-messi-better-mls-david-beckham-top-talent-europe-pushes-transfers/blt4d937118c111ca6e" target="_blank">putting a deal in place for the all-time great</a>: “When Messi goes to Paris, a machine is turned on in my head and that of the owner to ensure that, when these two years of control are over, the United States will be the next destination.</p><p>“If we did the same thing or tried to compete head-to-head with other clubs, it would be impossible to win, because someone with more money or history than us, who had been around for three years, would come along. I went to the League and explained to them with data and tried to sell that if Messi came, it would change their lives. I went to Adidas, Fanatics and Apple.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Asensi is proud that Inter Miami have “fulfilled what was promised”, while their initial forecast has been “multiplied by quite a bit” as Messi helped to deliver a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival and now has the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-team-ever-mls-cup-or-bust-lionel-messi-inter-miami-argentine-superstar-signed-david-beckham-deliver-ultimate-glory/bltf1dde65891cd00ac" target="_blank">Herons chasing down MLS Cup glory</a> after already <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">claiming the Supporters’ Shield in 2024</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

'He has changed everything' - Inter Miami chief hails Lionel Messi's impact on MLS as he compares eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to NBA legend Michael Jordan | Goal.com English Kuwait

Lionel Messi has been credited with changing “everything” in MLS, with the Inter Miami star’s impact in American sport compared to Michael Jordan.

&apos;He has changed everything&apos; - Inter Miami chief hails Lionel Messi&apos;s impact on MLS as he compares eight-time Ballon d&apos;Or winner to NBA legend Michael Jordan