MLS Weekly: The state of play

With the game’s biggest name reportedly set to join Inter Miami, here is the state of play in MLS.

MLS might just be about to become one of the most-watched competitions on the planet.

News broke on Wednesday (June 7th) that none other than Lionel Messi has decided to join Inter Miami. A move to Florida had long been in the offing for Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Indeed, More Than A Game understands that Messi had agreed a deal in principle to sign with Miami as long ago as the summer of 2022.

Al Hilal wanted to take the little magician to Saudi Arabia, where he would have joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, while former club Barcelona wanted their prodigal son to return. It seems, however, as though Miami have got their star man.

Karim Benzema completes Saudi move

It is not just a coup for the franchise, which is part-owned by David Beckham and last week fired Phil Neville from his role as head coach, but MLS. Indeed, not since Beckham himself headed Stateside with LA Galaxy back in 2007 has the competition had a superstar that comes close to matching Messi’s global appeal.

Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Gonzalo Higuain. Sure, these were huge, stellar players in their own right. But Messi is a statement of intent, and a signing that proves even Saudi Arabia’s wealth can only go so far.