Soccer in America could be set for it’s biggest boom ever one year on from Lionel Messi’s move to MLS with Inter Miami.
Last month saw the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager of the USA national team, with the former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea coach swapping Europe for a shot with one of the most promising international projects in the game.
With Pochettino set to take charge of his first matches this month against Panama and Mexico, USA fans could be about to see the beginning of something incredible two years ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
And Pochettino has now shared his verdict on the impact Messi has had on soccer in America since moving to MLS.
Messi’s MLS impact ‘impossible to measure’ since joining Inter Miami
Speaking to CNN Deportes, Pochettino lauded Messi for making the move to the United States and for launching MLS into a new era with Inter Miami, who last week won the Supporters’ Shield ahead of the 2024 play-offs.
“Pochettino said: His impact is impossible to measure because it’s simply incredible. It’s his ability to motivate the fans and the entire [MLS] structure, plus the players in who are are able to say that they’re competing against the best player in the world.
“That leads to incredible personal growth. His impact is so massive that it’s difficult to measure today. But it’ll have an impact today and as time passes, both in the short and long term.
“Having Messi here, being able to see him, touch him, creates a level of confidence and a sense of belief in things that are possible to accomplish.”
Messi can change soccer forever in America alongside Pochettino
Having a world-class manager at the helm with the greatest player of all time in the premier soccer league has given the US zero excuses in their bid to become a powerhouse in the beautiful game.
And in just one year, Messi has already made a massive impact in how soccer is perceived in America, with MLS records at an all-time high this year with the play-offs yet to even begin for the likes of Inter Miami.
Indeed, Messi and Pochettino can be the catalysts to make soccer a major sport in America, and the Argentine pair know they hold great power in their hands when it comes to taking the game to a new level in the years to come.