The Major League Soccer may not have received anything like the spotlight of the Saudi Pro League this summer – and there’s plenty of good reasons and muti-million pound deals for that.
Yet it does have something that can rival the CR7 arrival which triggered the Middle East revolution at the start of the year.
That is, the sole other footballer on the planet who can lay claim to be being the best of all time.
For Inter Miami is the new home of Lionel Messi.
Now if you don’t believe me, just consider this.
The Argentina World Cup-winning captain is setting sales records for merchandise with each day that passes.
The names Tom Brady and LeBron James are synonymous with wholesale sales, but since Messi’s arrival in MLS, the record holders see their reign in danger, as the Argentinian has surpassed them all, according to the Fanatics brand.
Outside the United States, there was another global jersey sales brand which acts as a benchmark.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021 became a very important date in terms of shirt sales on the planet, as it set the sales record, although that has reportedly now been pushed into second spot.
In addition, tickets for Messi’s first road game with Inter Miami sold out in one-tenth the time it takes to fly from Miami to Dallas — 22 minutes.
The resale market has tickets for as much as $3,000 with none lower than $600 to see Messi face FC Dallas.
The same ticket for a Chicago Fire match in late August goes for $21 compared to $1,000, plus fees, when Messi comes to town in October.
So there you have it.
Let me say, this is not just a final pay day for this iconic footballer. He is making a big difference to his new employers already.
Last week, he starred in a highly anticipated Florida derby against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup last 32 when a superb brace from the diminutive star guided Inter to a comfortable 3-1 win.
The Argentinian now has five goals in his first three games, all in the tournament between clubs from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Miami, hapless before his arrival, have won all three games in which he has played.
With former Barcelona team-mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets joining him in the ranks, this now feels like Inter Miami in their intended form – the star-laden team co-owner David Beckham had envisaged all along.
For a surreal half hour last Wednesday night, Miami fielded three stars of a great Barcelona team that lifted five La Liga titles together and a Champions League in 2015.
Of course, sterner tests are to come and, of course, there are other players capable of delivering Major League highlights and writing Major League headlines.
The MLS transfer window closed with a flurry of moves.
Among the signings are Maya Yoshida, Panama’s Eric Davis and Canadian Sam Adeku.
Yoshida, Japan’s captain at last year’s World Cup, arrives at LA Galaxy as a free agent from Schalke in Germany, where he made 28 starts last term.
They have also snapped up 32 year-old Colombian winger Michael Barrios from Colorado for the Galaxy’s natural first-round pick in the 2024 SuperDraft, along with midfielder Edwin Cerrillo from FC Dallas.
And what could be another astute move is the acquisition by FC Dallas of La Liga veteran Asier Illarramendi following 12 seasons at Real Sociedad and two at Real Madrid.
Among the other deals, US forward Matthew Hoppe who has arrived at San Jose Earthquakes on a year-long loan from Middlesbrough.
Despite all of this, the word on everyone’s lips remains Messi.
After the lure of George Best, Franz Beckenbauer and Pele in the late 1970s and early 80s, it seems another romantic boon is on the horizon in the States. And it’s a pink horizon.
Major League Soccer highlights await.
As World Soccer so eloquently mentioned: Saudi Arabian league’s ambitious expansion has dominated the summer, affecting almost every major club in Europe either directly or indirectly.
In the space of a few short months, it has gone from being dismissed as a “retirement league” to one that is able to attract players with plenty left in the tank to offer at the highest level.
Could the US now become the same?
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
