Messi left a strong mark on America - Photo: AFP
He pointed out the differences between Messi and countless other world football legends who have played in the United States.
According to the US President, MLS has attracted many big names since its inception, such as David Beckham (in 2007) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (in 2018). But Messi's ability to bring almost immediate glory is an exception: "Many great players have come to MLS, but they didn't win the championship. Messi came and immediately won."
He also expressed his admiration for Messi's character: "Messi faced more pressure than anyone else coming here as the best player in the world, with the team spending a huge amount of money. But despite all that pressure, Messi still won the championship."
The reality on the pitch has proven Trump's praise true. As of early March 2026, Lionel Messi will be the top scorer in Inter Miami's history (102 goals). He transformed Inter Miami from a struggling team into a dominant force in MLS, winning all three major titles: the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, and the ultimate triumph: the 2025 MLS Cup.
Messi also broke a number of records, becoming the player with the fastest direct involvement in a goal in the history of the tournament (40 times), thereby winning the MVP award for the second consecutive year.
In terms of American sports economics , the "Messi effect" has created an unprecedented boom. His presence has caused Inter Miami's value to skyrocket to over $1 billion. Stadiums across the US are sold out whenever Inter Miami plays, despite black market ticket prices reaching record highs.
For MLS, Messi elevated the league from a domestic competition into a globally sought-after entertainment product. Subscriptions to watch the league on Apple TV exploded in over 100 countries. Major sponsors poured money into the league, generating enormous revenue for American soccer.
For the United States, owning Messi – the greatest star of contemporary soccer – was a huge victory. Messi made Americans more interested in soccer than ever before. They turned MLS games into a topic of discussion on par with basketball (NBA) or American football (NFL).
More importantly, the global appeal of the 38-year-old superstar has created the perfect springboard, rekindling the love of soccer in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Messi not only makes a difference for one team, he has truly changed the status of an entire footballing nation.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/messi-tao-khac-biet-tren-dat-my-20260310101910467.htm
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