Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano believes Lionel Messi has already reshaped the way the world views Major League Soccer — but says the league must do more to capitalize on his presence.
“In the summer, Messi will have been here for two years, and I think he’s changing how the world sees MLS in one way or another,” Mascherano said after Miami’s 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire on Sunday. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Messi’s presence once again drew massive crowds, with 62,358 fans filling Soldier Field, marking the highest attendance in Chicago Fire history. Though Miami had played there before, it was Messi’s first time at the iconic venue, and his influence was clear.
“The people came to see him — that’s the reality,” said Mascherano.
This is not an isolated trend. In 2024, Inter Miami’s away matches at Gillette Stadium (vs. New England Revolution) and GEHA Field (vs. Sporting KC) also broke records. Other clubs, including the Columbus Crew, have even moved games to larger venues to meet overwhelming ticket demand — a clear sign of Messi’s drawing power.
Despite the crowd and the occasion, Inter Miami struggled to create scoring chances against the Fire. The Herons managed just three shots on target from 10 attempts, compared to Chicago’s 16 total shots and seven on goal.
Still, Mascherano applauded his squad’s resilience amid a packed schedule that has stretched them thin.
“We’ve been playing every three or four days for almost two months, and the wear and tear is very high,” he said. “Despite everything, the team continues to compete.”
Currently third in the Eastern Conference, Miami sits just one point behind Charlotte FC, with a game in hand. They’re also preparing for a deep run in the Concacaf Champions Cup, facing Vancouver in the semifinals later this month.
Mascherano closed with a reminder that Messi’s presence is a rare gift for American soccer.
“He’s a unique, unrepeatable player. Everywhere he’s been, he’s marked a before and after.”
And now, that “after” includes MLS — where the responsibility to build on Messi’s legacy belongs to the league itself.
