Lionel Messi sees minor in Major League Soccer

By Arrey Egbe

Lionel Messi referred to the Major League Soccer (MLS) as a minor league’ in an interview in Argentina while talking about his possibilities to make it to the 2026 World Cup.

Messi joined Inter Miami for a record fee of $60million-a-year deal to be part-funded by Apple and Adidas that could run through 2026.

Messi however didn’t paint the level of competition in the league in the best way when asked in an interview with Star+ about his priorities in 2024, as per the New York Post.

“I said it several times and it is a reality – I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can’t,” Messi told the media outlet.

“I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but a lot happens because of the way one faces it and competes,” he added.

Those two words – ‘minor league’ – are the last words the MLS would have hoped from the Argentine after signing for Inter Miami.

Messi’s run at Inter Miami has been a rollercoaster, he scored 11 goals in 14 games, inspired the club to a 12-game unbeaten run, and won its first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup.

The former PSG man soon had injuries that weakened the team and kept them from reaching the MLS playoffs.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old aims to help Argentina defend its 2021 Copa America title next summer.

“As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa América and being able to play in it,” he said.

The 8 times Ballon D’or winner also didn’t rule out doing the same in the 2026 World Cup, though he knows his age could be an issue.

“Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not,” Messi said. “I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup.”