Messi's Revolution That Hasn't Happened Yet in MLS

When Lionel Messi landed in Miami, the soccer world froze in anticipation. It felt like the sun itself had touched down in South Florida, bringing with it the promise of goals, glory, and a level of soccer never seen before in Major League Soccer (MLS). Messi's arrival seemed like a divine breeze, that fresh air the league needed to capture global attention. But now, months later, can we still say his impact has been enough?

Messi hasn’t even played 30 games for Inter Miami across all competitions. Crazy, right? Meanwhile, Damir Kreilach, at 35, with his iron lungs, has managed more appearances for the Vancouver Whitecaps (19 games) than Messi has for Inter Miami (15 games). Surprising, huh? And that raises the big question: with half of Messi’s contract already fulfilled, has he really made the difference everyone expected? Did all that hype live up to reality, or are we left feeling like the impact was smaller than promised?

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No doubt, Messi is still Messi. His mere presence on the field turns any team into something special, almost a supernatural force that keeps defenders on their toes, fearing the constant threat of his genius. But let’s be honest, the expectations were sky-high. From the moment he arrived, people thought Messi would turn Inter Miami into a title-winning machine, yet so far, the engine is still sputtering. Were we expecting too much, or has he delivered too little? The answer’s not so clear-cut.

Messi hasn’t just been crucial in attracting other big names to Inter Miami, but he’s also helped raise the technical level of the squad. Players who once seemed average now look almost godlike beside him. So far, so good. Messi’s doing his part as the star that draws in more stars, the leader who lights the way. But when we look at his performance on the field, has he really impacted MLS the way everyone imagined? Or is the initial shine starting to lose some of its luster?

The truth is, despite all the aura surrounding Messi, reality is a lot harsher. The Argentine is, without question, an icon who sells tickets and draws the spotlight to Inter Miami and MLS, but his impact on the field feels like it’s fallen short of expectations. His appearances have been sporadic, his minutes limited. Maybe it’s his age, maybe it’s the exhaustion from so many years playing at the highest level in Europe. Who knows? But the fact remains that Inter Miami isn’t yet the powerhouse everyone thought it would be after his arrival.

If we look at MLS as a whole, we can also ask: how much has Messi really shaken up the league? Sure, the hype was massive—there’s no denying that. But has that translated into quality on the field? Has the league truly evolved with Messi’s presence, or are we just riding a wave of marketing that’ll eventually lose momentum?

There are those who say Messi’s arrival is an invaluable gain for American soccer. And, in truth, it’s undeniable that he’s brought unprecedented international visibility to MLS. Messi might be the biggest name to ever step on U.S. soil, but there’s still a long way to go before he becomes a soccer legend who radically transforms MLS. What might be missing is consistency. And Messi, despite all his magic, seems to be fighting against time. His absences in some games are already raising eyebrows among those who expected a more participative Messi, always on the field, deciding matches. But the reality is, he’s managing his career carefully. There’s no longer that burning need to prove anything, no more wild desire to be in every moment, carrying all the weight on his shoulders. And, if we’re being honest, MLS, for Messi, is more of a breather, an opportunity to keep playing without the pressure of delivering the impossible.

Is that a bad thing? Not at all. Messi’s still one of the best in the world, and his presence in any league is a gift. But for those who expected a complete revolution, maybe it’s time to adjust their expectations. Messi’s doing what he’s always done—playing at a level few can match, but now with the calm of someone who’s already won everything. The question remains: is that enough for MLS? Is his presence alone enough for the transformation everyone hoped to see?

Messi’s impact on MLS is far from a failure, but it’s also not the fairytale many imagined. He’s put the league on the map, no doubt, but turning MLS into a global soccer powerhouse might not be a mission he can accomplish on his own. Messi’s presence is just the beginning, a glimpse of what MLS could become in the future. But there’s still plenty of work to be done.