Soccer fans, explain this Messi situation to me

[Seinfeld]

Miami was 0-3 when he arrived, they haven’t lost since, and now they’re sitting in the championship game after having completely dominated their way through the playoffs.

To be a sport with so many guys on the field, it just seems insane that one player could change things like this. Like if Ohtani joined the As, and they suddenly morphed from a laughing stock into World Series champs. How is this possible?

 

[dickiedawg]

For one thing, the MLS is not a great league (~16th ranked in the world). So it's less like putting Ohtani on the Athletics and more like putting Pat Mahomes on an Arena league team or Steph Curry going to play in Lithuania or something.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

Couple of things:
1) Inter Miami is currently playing in the Leagues Cup which is a mid-season tournament between the MLS teams and Liga MX (Mexico) teams. They will resume their MLS schedule next week and still sit bottom of the league (though that is likely to change now that Messi is playing).

2) Inter Miami didn't just add a good player. They added the best player in the world and potentially the best player ever, and a guy that, though is on the decline, is still a dominant force at any level. He was the best player at the World Cup a mere 8 months ago and led a team that was not as talented as teams like France, Brazil, England, etc. to the title. Besides all of his physical skills, Messi is arguably one of the smartest players of all time as well (in terms of soccer/football IQ). He not only holds the records for career goals in the Spanish league but also assists. That means he makes everyone around him better as getting 300+ assist in a career means seeing passes and making passes that no other player can see or make.

3) They didn't just add Messi but Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both of those players were starters for FC Barcelona last year who won the Spanish League by over 10 pts over Real Madrid, and Sergio Busquets is a World Cup winner with Spain, while Jordi Alba won the European Championships with Spain. While they are both on the decline, they are still very, very good players. Sergio Busquets is one of the best holding midfielders in his generation and Jordi Alba is an excellent outside back. Furthermore, they have years and years of playing experience alongside Messi specifically. That sort of knowledge of each other's game, the runs that each other will make, etc. cannot be overstated.

4) MLS, while a league on the rise and competitive, is just not a great league. If you add 3 world class players to any team in MLS they are going to get remarkably better very, very quickly. Inter Miami actually had a decently talented roster and upgraded their coach as well when they brought Messi in by hiring Tata Martino who has led teams to trophies in Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, and won MLS cup with Atlanta United. His overall impact on Inter Miami's turnaround is big as well.

So, all of these factors together are the reason that Inter Miami have made such a rapid turnaround.

*Edit to add that Tata Martino (who is Argentinian) has coached Messi with both FC Barcelona and Argentina. Messi likes Tata Martino and one way to guarantee to get solid play out of an International Superstar is to hire a coach that he likes/respects. I don't believe Messi would be playing as well for Inter if someone like Berhalter or Bruce Arena was the coach there as they would not have his immediate respect.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Couple of things:
1) Inter Miami is currently playing in the Leagues Cup which is a mid-season tournament between the MLS teams and Liga MX (Mexico) teams. They will resume their MLS schedule next week and still sit bottom of the league (though that is likely to change now that Messi is playing).

2) Inter Miami didn't just add a good player. They added the best player in the world and potentially the best player ever, and a guy that, though is on the decline, is still a dominant force at any level. He was the best player at the World Cup a mere 8 months ago and led a team that was not as talented as teams like France, Brazil, England, etc. to the title. Besides all of his physical skills, Messi is arguably one of the smartest players of all time as well (in terms of soccer/football IQ). He not only holds the records for career goals in the Spanish league but also assists. That means he makes everyone around him better as getting 300+ assist in a career means seeing passes and making passes that no other player can see or make.

3) They didn't just add Messi but Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both of those players were starters for FC Barcelona last year who won the Spanish League by over 10 pts over Real Madrid, and Sergio Busquets is a World Cup winner with Spain, while Jordi Alba won the European Championships with Spain. While they are both on the decline, they are still very, very good players. Sergio Busquets is one of the best holding midfielders in his generation and Jordi Alba is an excellent outside back. Furthermore, they have years and years of playing experience alongside Messi specifically. That sort of knowledge of each other's game, the runs that each other will make, etc. cannot be overstated.

4) MLS, while a league on the rise and competitive, is just not a great league. If you add 3 world class players to any team in MLS they are going to get remarkably better very, very quickly. Inter Miami actually had a decently talented roster and upgraded their coach as well when they brought Messi in by hiring Tata Martino who has led teams to trophies in Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, and won MLS cup with Atlanta United. His overall impact on Inter Miami's turnaround is big as well.

So, all of these factors together are the reason that Inter Miami have made such a rapid turnaround.

TLDR, but username checks out.

 

[Felonious Junk]

Messi good. Rest of MLS bad

 

[Darryl Steight]

This final should be a good one. I watched most of the Nashville match last night, and they are very solid. Couple of creative guys up front, and of course Zimmerman in back is great. Will be interesting to see how Miami plays in a hostile environment too.

 

[aTotal360]

I've been an Inter Miami fan for a long time. Really proud of my guys.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Miami was 0-3 when he arrived, they haven’t lost since, and now they’re sitting in the championship game after having completely dominated their way through the playoffs.

To be a sport with so many guys on the field, it just seems insane that one player could change things like this. Like if Ohtani joined the As, and they suddenly morphed from a laughing stock into World Series champs. How is this possible?

He good.

 

[MS-halfstep]

I've been an Inter Miami fan for a long time. Really proud of my guys.

Since 2018?

 

[dickiedawg]

Couple of things:
1) Inter Miami is currently playing in the Leagues Cup which is a mid-season tournament between the MLS teams and Liga MX (Mexico) teams. They will resume their MLS schedule next week and still sit bottom of the league (though that is likely to change now that Messi is playing).

2) Inter Miami didn't just add a good player. They added the best player in the world and potentially the best player ever, and a guy that, though is on the decline, is still a dominant force at any level. He was the best player at the World Cup a mere 8 months ago and led a team that was not as talented as teams like France, Brazil, England, etc. to the title. Besides all of his physical skills, Messi is arguably one of the smartest players of all time as well (in terms of soccer/football IQ). He not only holds the records for career goals in the Spanish league but also assists. That means he makes everyone around him better as getting 300+ assist in a career means seeing passes and making passes that no other player can see or make.

3) They didn't just add Messi but Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both of those players were starters for FC Barcelona last year who won the Spanish League by over 10 pts over Real Madrid, and Sergio Busquets is a World Cup winner with Spain, while Jordi Alba won the European Championships with Spain. While they are both on the decline, they are still very, very good players. Sergio Busquets is one of the best holding midfielders in his generation and Jordi Alba is an excellent outside back. Furthermore, they have years and years of playing experience alongside Messi specifically. That sort of knowledge of each other's game, the runs that each other will make, etc. cannot be overstated.

4) MLS, while a league on the rise and competitive, is just not a great league. If you add 3 world class players to any team in MLS they are going to get remarkably better very, very quickly. Inter Miami actually had a decently talented roster and upgraded their coach as well when they brought Messi in by hiring Tata Martino who has led teams to trophies in Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, and won MLS cup with Atlanta United. His overall impact on Inter Miami's turnaround is big as well.

So, all of these factors together are the reason that Inter Miami have made such a rapid turnaround.

*Edit to add that Tata Martino (who is Argentinian) has coached Messi with both FC Barcelona and Argentina. Messi likes Tata Martino and one way to guarantee to get solid play out of an International Superstar is to hire a coach that he likes/respects. I don't believe Messi would be playing as well for Inter if someone like Berhalter or Bruce Arena was the coach there as they would not have his immediate respect.

Why does this feel like ChatGPT wrote it?

 

[sfnsfn]

Couple of things:
1) Inter Miami is currently playing in the Leagues Cup which is a mid-season tournament between the MLS teams and Liga MX (Mexico) teams. They will resume their MLS schedule next week and still sit bottom of the league (though that is likely to change now that Messi is playing).

2) Inter Miami didn't just add a good player. They added the best player in the world and potentially the best player ever, and a guy that, though is on the decline, is still a dominant force at any level. He was the best player at the World Cup a mere 8 months ago and led a team that was not as talented as teams like France, Brazil, England, etc. to the title. Besides all of his physical skills, Messi is arguably one of the smartest players of all time as well (in terms of soccer/football IQ). He not only holds the records for career goals in the Spanish league but also assists. That means he makes everyone around him better as getting 300+ assist in a career means seeing passes and making passes that no other player can see or make.

3) They didn't just add Messi but Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both of those players were starters for FC Barcelona last year who won the Spanish League by over 10 pts over Real Madrid, and Sergio Busquets is a World Cup winner with Spain, while Jordi Alba won the European Championships with Spain. While they are both on the decline, they are still very, very good players. Sergio Busquets is one of the best holding midfielders in his generation and Jordi Alba is an excellent outside back. Furthermore, they have years and years of playing experience alongside Messi specifically. That sort of knowledge of each other's game, the runs that each other will make, etc. cannot be overstated.

4) MLS, while a league on the rise and competitive, is just not a great league. If you add 3 world class players to any team in MLS they are going to get remarkably better very, very quickly. Inter Miami actually had a decently talented roster and upgraded their coach as well when they brought Messi in by hiring Tata Martino who has led teams to trophies in Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, and won MLS cup with Atlanta United. His overall impact on Inter Miami's turnaround is big as well.

So, all of these factors together are the reason that Inter Miami have made such a rapid turnaround.

*Edit to add that Tata Martino (who is Argentinian) has coached Messi with both FC Barcelona and Argentina. Messi likes Tata Martino and one way to guarantee to get solid play out of an International Superstar is to hire a coach that he likes/respects. I don't believe Messi would be playing as well for Inter if someone like Berhalter or Bruce Arena was the coach there as they would not have his immediate respect.

yeah, the addition of Busquets, Alba, and Martino are very key to Miami's 180.

Also of note - one of the biggest reasons the MLS is not among the top leagues in the world is the lack of quality defense across the board. That combined with Messi still being a world class attacker (understatement) creates the perfect storm that is playing out before our eyes.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

Why does this feel like ChatGPT wrote it?

Not sure how to take this?

 

[Darryl Steight]

Still waiting for the "Messi is washed up/This won't make an impact" gang to weigh in here.

 

[FlotownDawg]

When you add three former Barcelona players and Barcelona’s former coach to an MLS team, you’re going to get better very quickly.

 

[L4Dawg]

Miami was 0-3 when he arrived, they haven’t lost since, and now they’re sitting in the championship game after having completely dominated their way through the playoffs.

To be a sport with so many guys on the field, it just seems insane that one player could change things like this. Like if Ohtani joined the As, and they suddenly morphed from a laughing stock into World Series champs. How is this possible?

The MLS sucks, and it sucks because the caliber of the players in it is terrible in general. One player of Messi's caliber, even as old as he is, makes a difference.

 

[L4Dawg]

Still waiting for the "Messi is washed up/This won't make an impact" gang to weigh in here.

He is washed up on the world stage, but that doesn't mean he can't be the best player in MLS. He probably is.

 

[LordMcBuckethead]

Since 2018

Basically it is like being a fan of hte Yankees because of ARod and Texiera.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

He is washed up on the world stage, but that doesn't mean he can't be the best player in MLS. He probably is.

LOL, washed up is quite an exaggeration. Is he on the decline? Yes, but he could still be a starter on any team in Europe. Guy won the Golden Ball at the WC 8 months ago and was tied with Mbappe for the most goal contributions (Goals + Assists). You must have forgotten your sarcasterics.

 

[FlotownDawg]

He is washed up on the world stage, but that doesn't mean he can't be the best player in MLS. He probably is.

Did you not watch the World Cup less than a year ago? Messi scored two goals in the WC Final and led Argentina to the title. He may not be as good as he once was but he is far from washed up. If Barcelona had the money to pay him, he’d be starting for them this season.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Messi good. Rest of MLS messy

IFYPFY.

Oh yeah, that fix also needs this: **

 

[ChinaDogSunflower]

Miami was 0-3 when he arrived, they haven’t lost since, and now they’re sitting in the championship game after having completely dominated their way through the playoffs.

To be a sport with so many guys on the field, it just seems insane that one player could change things like this. Like if Ohtani joined the As, and they suddenly morphed from a laughing stock into World Series champs. How is this possible?

Alright so, Miami was 0-3-14 when Messi arrived.
They are not in "the" championship, playoffs for MLS have not started yet. They are in the "League Cup" final (tournament bw Liga MX and MLS that occurs at the same time as the season - think Champion's League or Europa Cup)

As others have said, MLS is not a great league overall. The floor in MLS is very low and they rely more or less on young developmental talent because once a player is good enough they want to play against high quality talent (like players go to the NBA from other leagues in the world that don't have a lot of talent). They also rely on aging superstars to draw crowds and drive interest.

Take the best player in the world and drop him in a league with young, developing players and players that still have the name but have lost a step, and he is gonna feast.

 

[L4Dawg]

Did you not watch the World Cup less than a year ago? Messi scored two goals in the WC Final and led Argentina to the title. He may not be as good as he once was but he is far from washed up. If Barcelona had the money to pay him, he’d be starting for them this season.

If he was still worth that kind of money somebody in a real league would have paid him. You can not overlook his age. The fact that he is in MLS after where he has been says he is washed up.

 

[L4Dawg]

LOL, washed up is quite an exaggeration. Is he on the decline? Yes, but he could still be a starter on any team in Europe. Guy won the Golden Ball at the WC 8 months ago and was tied with Mbappe for the most goal contributions (Goals + Assists). You must have forgotten your sarcasterics.

Then why ISN'T he starting for a club in Europe? The fact that he isn't and is in MLS is all you really need to know.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Then why ISN'T he starting for a club in Europe? The fact that he isn't is all you really need to know.

It's a bit simpler than that...

There's a reason why his biggest offers were from MLS and the Saudis.

Your antipathy towards national team cup play is well known but Messi is the GOAT of his generation so why shouldn't he be able to cash in on his notoriety-- and the US is the best place for that especially with the 2026 World Cup.

Dude's a walking advertisement for it-- even if he likely won't be competing in it.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

Then why ISN'T he starting for a club in Europe? The fact that he isn't is all you really need to know.

You don't think that a player that has literally won every major trophy in the sport might have decided he wanted to try something new? I think this was about a guy who knows he is on the downside of his career wanting a new adventure before he is actually "washed up". We can debate on what level of "world class" he is right now, but he is still easily a top 10 attacking player in the world. Just because you make a decision based on a metric other than playing in Europe for the UCL, etc. doesn't make you washed up. You are objectively wrong about him being washed up but it is not surprising because you are one of the least informed soccer posters on this board.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

You don't think that a player that has literally won every major trophy in the sport might have decided he wanted to try something new? I think this was about a guy who knows he is on the downside of his career wanting a new adventure before he is actually "washed up". We can debate on what level of "world class" he is right now, but he is still easily a top 10 attacking player in the world. Just because you make a decision based on a metric other than playing in Europe for the UCL, etc. doesn't make you washed up. You are objectively wrong about him being washed up but it is not surprising because you are one of the least informed soccer posters on this board.

Nah. L4 isn't the least informed but he does have a blind spot when it comes to national team play.

And you're right: Messi's of the age where he wants a new adventure before he's washed up.

So why not go someplace where he could feel rejuvenated instead of going to hellholes like Barcelona, Paris, and Madrid...

The Bernabeu again: What a Dump. **

 

[L4Dawg]

It's a bit simpler than that...

There's a reason why his biggest offers were from MLS and the Saudis.

Your antipathy towards national team cup play is well known but Messi is the GOAT of his generation so why shouldn't he be able to cash in on his notoriety-- and the US is the best place for that especially with the 2026 World Cup.

Dude's a walking advertisement for it-- even if he likely won't be competing in it.

The reason is his age, pure and simple. He wasn't going to get the kind of money he wanted from real team in a real league. He has had an outstanding and remarkably long career, especially at the position he plays, but time catches up with everyone. I don't blame him for cashing in at all. It just amazes me to see MLS fans trying to claim he is what he was and that him coming here is a big step for MLS. He isn't the first player to enjoy his retirement in MLS. To pretend he is doing anything else is ludicrous. When MLS gets a player half as good as him, and in his prime years, then THAT will be a big step.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

Nah. L4 isn't the least informed but he does have a blind spot when it comes to national team play.

And you're right: Messi's of the age where he wants a new adventure before he's washed up.

So why not go someplace where he could feel rejuvenated instead of going to hellholes like Barcelona, Paris, and Madrid...

The Bernabeu again: What a Dump. **

Barca literally can't afford him (they barely registered the players they have). He just left Paris which is a complete dumpster fire. He is Barca through and through so he probably rather actually jump into the pits of hell then go to Real Madrid.

As for the $ aspect, he doesn't need it and could have easily gotten A LOT more $ in Saudi Arabia if he wanted. Take a look at the detail in of the contract that Neymar just signed. Guy is getting $500K for every social media post he does that promotes Saudi Arabia and the Saudi League on top of all of his other perks.

 

[L4Dawg]

You don't think that a player that has literally won every major trophy in the sport might have decided he wanted to try something new? I think this was about a guy who knows he is on the downside of his career wanting a new adventure before he is actually "washed up". We can debate on what level of "world class" he is right now, but he is still easily a top 10 attacking player in the world. Just because you make a decision based on a metric other than playing in Europe for the UCL, etc. doesn't make you washed up. You are objectively wrong about him being washed up but it is not surprising because you are one of the least informed soccer posters on this board.

LOL, I've been an avid follower of football for close to 30 years now. I've watched Messi in club ball for decades. The guy was the best ever most likely. He came here to enjoy his early retirement and still get paid a lot to play. Players that are still world class and can still command world class money in Europe do not come to MLS. On that I'd say I have more knowledge of football than you do. Even an old guy that was as good as he was is still better than almost all players in MLS. Now if you can find a washed up but still decent DM that will come cheap, let me know!

 

[sfnsfn]

LOL, washed up is quite an exaggeration. Is he on the decline? Yes, but he could still be a starter on any team in Europe. Guy won the Golden Ball at the WC 8 months ago and was tied with Mbappe for the most goal contributions (Goals + Assists). You must have forgotten your sarcasterics.

He is washed up on the world stage, but that doesn't mean he can't be the best player in MLS. He probably is.

Yeah he's definitely NOT "washed up".

Just like Lebron James and Aaron Rodgers aren't washed up. They're all on the backside of their careers, but they're still among the best players in their sports.

 

[L4Dawg]

Nah. L4 isn't the least informed but he does have a blind spot when it comes to national team play.

And you're right: Messi's of the age where he wants a new adventure before he's washed up.

So why not go someplace where he could feel rejuvenated instead of going to hellholes like Barcelona, Paris, and Madrid...

The Bernabeu again: What a Dump. **

Or London, or Manchester, or even Liverpool.....I'm sure Everton would take him!

I don't really have a BLIND spot when it comes to national team play. I just hate it. All it's good for is getting Liverpool players hurt.

 

[sfnsfn]

Then why ISN'T he starting for a club in Europe? The fact that he isn't and is in MLS is all you really need to know.

Because he wants to be transcendent like Michael Jordan. The only way to do that is to become a household name in the United States.

Edited to add - ...and it's working. There are thousands of Americans talking about Messi right now that have no interest in soccer.

 

[L4Dawg]

Yeah he's definitely NOT "washed up".

Just like Lebron James and Aaron Rodger aren't washed up. They're all on the backside of their careers, but they're still among the best players in their sports.

I notice James and Rodgers haven't gone to play their sports in Europe. That would be the equivalent of what Messi did. They still play at the top level of their sports. I'm not dissing Messi by the way, he was one of the best for a LONG time.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

LOL, I've been an avid follower of football for close to 30 years now. I've watched Messi in club ball for decades. The guy was the best ever most likely. He came here to enjoy his early retirement and still get paid a lot to play. Players that are still world class and can still command world class money in Europe do not come to MLS. On that I'd say I have more knowledge of football than you do. Even an old guy that was as good as he was is still better than almost all players in MLS. Now if you can find a washed up but still decent DM that will come cheap, let me know!

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think Messi seriously reevaluated his life after winning the World Cup and decided he wanted to try something new, and I think the way his exit from Barcelona happened and the dumpster fire at PSG had a lot to do with him leaving Europe. You obviously think otherwise. I am under no illusion that MLS is getting "prime" Messi. Hell, we will probably never see a player play on the level that he was from ~2009 - 2016. I am also no MLS apologist. I realize its level and laugh every time some MLS suit or owner says "We hope to be the best league in the world one day" because without the Champions League, it never will be (aside from all of the other historical factors). The MLS is a fun league that is getting good at developing young American and Latin American talent but all of its "prime" age players are just not good enough for Europe and it usually gets "Name" players on the back-end of their career.

Saying all of that, Messi is still a world class player, its just that he was so far above everyone else (excluding potentially the prime years of CRonaldo where he was in touching distance) that even a Messi that is far from his best is still a Top 10 attacking player in the world.

 

[L4Dawg]

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think Messi seriously reevaluated his life after winning the World Cup and decided he wanted to try something new, and I think the way his exit from Barcelona happened and the dumpster fire at PSG had a lot to do with him leaving Europe. You obviously think otherwise. I am under no illusion that MLS is getting "prime" Messi. Hell, we will probably never see a player play on the level that he was from ~2009 - 2016. I am also no MLS apologist. I realize its level and laugh every time some MLS suit or owner says "We hope to be the best league in the world one day" because without the Champions League, it never will be (aside from all of the other historical factors). The MLS is a fun league that is getting good at developing young American and Latin American talent but all of its "prime" age players are just not good enough for Europe and it usually gets "Name" players on the back-end of their career.

Saying all of that, Messi is still a world class player, its just that he was so far above everyone else (excluding potentially the prime years of CRonaldo where he was in touching distance) that even a Messi that is far from his best is still a Top 10 attacking player in the world.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think Messi seriously reevaluated his life after winning the World Cup and decided he wanted to try something new, and I think the way his exit from Barcelona happened and the dumpster fire at PSG had a lot to do with him leaving Europe. You obviously think otherwise. I am under no illusion that MLS is getting "prime" Messi. Hell, we will probably never see a player play on the level that he was from ~2009 - 2016. I am also no MLS apologist. I realize its level and laugh every time some MLS suit or owner says "We hope to be the best league in the world one day" because without the Champions League, it never will be (aside from all of the other historical factors). The MLS is a fun league that is getting good at developing young American and Latin American talent but all of its "prime" age players are just not good enough for Europe and it usually gets "Name" players on the back-end of their career.

Saying all of that, Messi is still a world class player, its just that he was so far above everyone else (excluding potentially the prime years of CRonaldo where he was in touching distance) that even a Messi that is far from his best is still a Top 10 attacking player in the world.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think Messi seriously reevaluated his life after winning the World Cup and decided he wanted to try something new, and I think the way his exit from Barcelona happened and the dumpster fire at PSG had a lot to do with him leaving Europe. You obviously think otherwise. I am under no illusion that MLS is getting "prime" Messi. Hell, we will probably never see a player play on the level that he was from ~2009 - 2016. I am also no MLS apologist. I realize its level and laugh every time some MLS suit or owner says "We hope to be the best league in the world one day" because without the Champions League, it never will be (aside from all of the other historical factors). The MLS is a fun league that is getting good at developing young American and Latin American talent but all of its "prime" age players are just not good enough for Europe and it usually gets "Name" players on the back-end of their career.

Saying all of that, Messi is still a world class player, its just that he was so far above everyone else (excluding potentially the prime years of CRonaldo where he was in touching distance) that even a Messi that is far from his best is still a Top 10 attacking player in the world.

I just think that he knew that he was slipping and it was time to hang it up. He could have probably held on for a while in Europe by accepting less money and reduced roles. If he isn't at that stage yet he can't be more than a year or two away from it. Time catches up with everyone, even the greatest ever athletes. I am really happy he chose to come here to have an active retirement over Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are rapidly ruining ALL sports that don't have spending limits with teeth. If something isn't done it's only a matter of time before they take over college sports here. The NIL stuff is absolutely tailor made for them.

 

[sfnsfn]

I notice James and Rodgers haven't gone to play their sports in Europe. That would be the equivalent of what Messi did. They still play at the top level of their sports. I'm not dissing Messi by the way, he was one of the best for a LONG time.

James and Rodgers already play in the USA - Americans already know them.

Messi needs to gain popularity in the USA in order to become the most popular athlete in history. He's on record saying he wants to be a bigger name than Michael Jordan worldwide. He needs to make a splash here.

 

[Alexi_Lalas]

I just think that he knew that he was slipping and it was time to hang it up. He could have probably held on for a while in Europe by accepting less money and reduced roles. If he isn't at that stage yet he can't be more than a year or two away from it. Time catches up with everyone, even the greatest ever athletes. I am really happy he chose to come here to have an active retirement over Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are rapidly ruining ALL sports that don't have spending limits with teeth. If something isn't done it's only a matter of time before they take over college sports here. The NIL stuff is absolutely tailor made for them.

I agree that he is keenly aware he is on the downside of his career. Now whether he has 1, 2, or 5 more years at a world class level is unknown (I would say he has way less than 5), but the drop can happen seemingly overnight for some players (see CRonaldo).

I also agree about the Saudi League and the Oligarch-like investment in European leagues. As for the Saudi League itself, it isn't a sustainable model because the Saudi's don't have an elite continental competition to play in and a poor youth-development infrastructure (among many other reasons). I believe this is a power play to get the 2034 (or potentially 2030 if they grease enough FIFA palms) WC by showing they are "serious" about soccer and league development. I think their presence on the world stage may be more durable than what China tried 5-10 years ago, but it will still be fleeting because, in the end, they won't be able to reliably attract and/or keep young talents and will produce none of their own.

 

[L4Dawg]

James and Rodgers already play in the USA - Americans already know them.

Messi needs to gain popularity in the USA in order to become the most popular athlete in history. He's on record saying he wants to be a bigger name than Michael Jordan worldwide. He needs to make a splash here.

Lol, he has that already. Making a splash for 300 million isn't necessary for that when the rest of the 8 billion on earth already know who he is.

 

[III.sixpack]

Nah. L4 isn't the least informed but he does have a blind spot when it comes to national team play.

And you're right: Messi's of the age where he wants a new adventure before he's washed up.

So why not go someplace where he could feel rejuvenated instead of going to hellholes like Barcelona, Paris, and Madrid...

The Bernabeu again: What a Dump. **

He picked Miami because he speaks the language.

 

[WilCoDawg]

Not sure how to take this?

Take it as a compliment on your thoroughness.