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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport

Lionel Messi says MLS must loosen spending rules in order to thrive

Inter Miami FC forward Lionel Messi holds the 2025 MLS Golden Boot before the MLS soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 24 October 2025.
Lionel Messi won the MLS golden boot in 2025 and is the heavy favorite to win his second consecutive MVP. Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA

Lionel Messi said that MLS must loosen its spending restrictions in order to become a top league in the world of soccer and said that he is hopeful that he will be physically able to contribute to Argentina at next summer’s World Cup.

In a rare interview with an American outlet, Messi sat down with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the interview, Messi was asked if he felt that soccer could become as popular in the US as American sports like football, baseball, and basketball. Messi said he thinks the sport could get there, but that teams need to have more freedom first.

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