Former Premier League and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes that Lionel Messi would make an 'incredible' impact on the MLS if he were to join David Beckham's Inter Miami.
Having starred during Argentina's World Cup-winning campaign by scoring seven goals in as many appearances, Messi secured the one trophy that had previously eluded him during a 20-year career.
Amid Messi's success on the international stage, rumours claimed the Barcelona legend could move to one of football's developing leagues, as fellow icon and former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has done by joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
READ MORE: Tim Howard names the biggest thing Erik ten Hag has got right at Man United
The MLS has been touted as one destination for Messi. Inter Miami, who are owned by ex-United and England midfielder Beckham, are credited with a significant interest in his signing.
Friedel compared the impact that Messi could have on football in the States to the one made by Beckham after he joined LA Galaxy in 2007.
''The best thing that happened for the MLS was when Beckham came over,'' Friedel explained to Sporting Post. "He did an incredible job on and off the field for the League as a whole. Him then staying on in the League and being an owner has helped it again.
''I don’t just mean as a great player, but everything surrounding his star power and he really helped validate the league and give it that verification that was needed at the time.
''If Messi came over it would make that almost like it never happened. Messi is so big, it would be like Michael Jordan signing for Galatasaray basketball in Istanbul or going over to the Greek league, it would be so big.
''I hope, as an American and somebody who wants the sport to keep growing over here, it happens. I don’t think people in the US realise just how big he is until he were to set foot here.
''Inter Miami’s training will be full, you won’t be able to get a ticket for the game. There are stadiums that don’t fill out, but just like what happened with Beckham, when Messi is there, all of a sudden they are sold out.
''That’s what Messi would do and it would be that way for however long he was here. It would be incredible.''
Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Friedel, who also enjoyed spells with Liverpool, Blackburn and Aston Villa in England, did cast doubt over the likelihood of Messi moving to America.
He added: ''Will it happen? I’m 50/50 because I’d imagine he’s getting offered a lot of money elsewhere, so who knows. He’s currently at PSG and I’m sure they could offer him a boatload more.
''We all saw what he did at the World Cup, and at PSG this weekend [scoring a last-minute free-kick]. At PSG he can still play with and amongst the best.''
READ NEXT:
