The Argentine is now the main attraction in MLS and his gravitational pull is helping to bring new players to the league.
Eduardo Burgos Rodríguezedu17burgosWilliam GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jan 11th, 2024 08:25 EST
Inter Miami CFEFE/Inter Miami CF
Since touching down in Florida last summer, Lionel Messi has changed the game for Inter Miami.
On the pitch he transformed the fortunes of a team stranded at the bottom of the table, leading them to an unlikely Leagues Cup triumph. He has packed out stadiums across the country and brought about a huge surge in subscriptions for the MLS Season Pass.
His astonishing influence was curtailed in 2023 as Inter Miami missed out of playoff qualification but, with the start of the 2024 season still six weeks away, his incredible talents are already proving a major attraction. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is convincing more players to make the move to Miami and to MLS more broadly.
Heron´s head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has already seen two new two star signings, Luis Suárez and Julian Gressel, enter the building. Suarez, a former teammate and close friend of Messi’s, was drawn to the team by the opportunity to reunite with the Argentine. Gressel arrives from MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew, but emphasised that he was “thrilled to be joining such an ambitious organization” when he was unveiled as a Miami player.
Bienvenido Luis Suárez, al sueño de Miami 💫 pic.twitter.com/Vi3bJZ679f
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 22, 2023
Both players would have had numerous offers from other MLS sides, but opted to sign with a team that failed to make it to the post-season last year. Inter Miami are clearly viewed as an appealing prospect since Messi´s arrival.
The Argentine’s influence is such that Mexican star Alexis Vega reportedly told his agent that Inter Miami is one of just three MLS teams that he would consider joining. Boca Juniors youngster Cristian Medina is another to have specified a move to Inter Miami, so he can play with his idol.
South American influx to MLS
Messi’s Miami move saw him arrive in a city with a significant Hispanic population and deep cultural ties to the southern continent. He now counts fellow Argentines Facundo Farías and Tomás Avilés as teammates and has formed a close bond with US-Argentine prospect Benjamin Cremaschi.
The league hopes that these starlets can be part of a wave of young South American talents moving to MLS. After past associations with older players, coming to the end of their careers, promising youngsters are starting to opt for an MLS move.
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Benjamin Cremaschi has thrived alongside Lionel Messi.Inter Miami
