Lionel Messi has been backed to make an impact in the MLS by a former USA international. The World Cup winner is expected to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or after Argentina's successes in Qatar but he is being linked with a move to Inter Miami - the David Beckham-owned franchise in America - when his contract with Paris Saint Germain ends in the summer.
Alan Gordon, an ex-professional striker for many MLS teams including LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, believes that Messi could be transformative for the American game. He told The Guardian : “Messi is the biggest name in the sport and one of the best to ever step foot on a soccer pitch. He’s going to fill stands.
“Before Beckham came, we travelled ‘Group C’ on Southwest Airlines with LA Galaxy. We’d walk through the airport and either nobody knew us, or nobody cared. When he arrived, we went from playing in front of 10,000, to 60-70,000 people in [American] football stadiums. That’s what it’s going to be like. And guess what? I’d be the first to grab a ticket and take my kids to see Messi."
