Nearly two years after Lionel Messiarrival Major League SoccerHis influence shows no signs of bleaching. On Sunday, From Miami Head coach Javier Mascherano shared their thoughts on Messi’s lasting impact on the league after a record-breaking audience showed up for his match against the Chicago fire.
From Miami Traveled to Chicago fresh from a dramatic mid -week’s comeback over LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter finals. Mascherano went with a full strength, starting stars MessiThe Luis Suarezand Sergio Busquetswith just Jordi Alba Starts on the bench.
Driven by expectation to see Lionel Messi take the plan, Soldier Field welcomed 62 358 fans for the matchup between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami-to set a new attendance record for the club. However, this was not the first time the stadium reached such attendance levels.
Interestingly, the previous post was also put in 2023 Ml Season, when 62,124 fans Packed Stadium for another game against Inter Miami. At that time, however Messi was on the side with a muscle injury And did not play, even though the club’s headline signing at that time.
Mascherano and Messi’s impact on MLS
Messi’s arrival at MLS has shifted the global perception of the leaguetriggered new broadcast agreements and affected other international talents. After Sunday’s play, Mascherano Was asked to consider what his former Argentina teammate has been thinking for American football.
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“Leo has been here almost to the middle of the year it will be two years and I think he has somehow changed how the world sees MLS now. There is no doubt about it. We’re talking about a player who can completely show a league like this and give it more visibility“He said at the press conference after the match.
Mascherano also emphasized the responsibility that MLS now bears in use of Messi’s presence: “Now MLS will be responsible for continuing to develop. I think it has advanced in recent years, but it must continue to grow together with the fact that Leo is here to help develop football in this country.
“He is a unique and unrecisions, and everywhere he has been, he has marked a before and after“He quit. With Messi under contract until the end of 2025 and reports that indicate that he can extend by 2026, his influence on American football seems to be ready to grow further.
