How will Messi's Miami move change the MLS landscape?

Messi joined Miami FC, one of the youngest clubs in the MLS, and has generated sensational hype around the league's football. Setting salary records across all sports in the U.S., so how will this change the MLS landscape?

The deal set new MLS salary records, earning $53 million in base salary alone, shattering the prior record set by Xherdan Shaquiri’s transfer to the Chicago Fire in 2022, earning $7.35 million per year. 

When looking at wages alone, Messi will become the fifth highest-paid player in American sports. Right behind Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, and Steph Curry. Messi could make a projected $153 million from revenue sharing with Adidas and Apple, as reported by Marca.  

The contract additionally includes an option for team equity in Inter Miami, a proposal that would mean Messi would join David Beckham in the team’s front office. According to sources close to Messi, he was rumored to have been offered a 35% stake in Inter Miami, according to Marca.

So, how does this change the MLS’s landscape? Inter Miami, whose debut season was 2020, has become one the most talked about clubs in the world!

Inter Miami faces an uphill battle as they currently sit at the bottom of the Easter Conference. Much has to change in order to see them join the play-off battles this coming season. 

After several seasons under Phil Neville, the former England women's coach was dismissed and replaced by Tata Martino. With fresh signings, the Miami squad is looking to bring a title home. 

Joining Messi in attack will be Josef Martinez, the electric Venezuelan striker who helped Atlanta United to second place in the Supporter’s Shield and to their first MLS Cup trophy. In his time there, he set the record for the fastest player to 100 goals, hitting the mark at just 125 games.

Just behind the pair in midfield will also be 29-year-old Federico Pizzaro, a star in Liga MX where he won three titles and helped Mexico lift the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019.

Similarly, slightly overshadowed by Messi’s signing, Inter Miami signed Deandre Yedlin. The American defender broke onto the international scene in the 2014 World Cup, teasing a possible transfer to the English Premier League.

He spent two years with the Spurs then a 5-year stint with Newcastle United. He spent the 2021-2022 season with Galatasaray before announcing a move to Inter Miami in February of 2022.

Unlike most other football leagues worldwide, the MLS’s conference and playoff structure gives it a different spin, in comparison to other international leagues. Currently comprised of 30 teams, 15 in the eastern conference and 15 in the western conference, Inter Miami will need to climb to at least ninth in their conference to qualify for the playoffs.

Messi will be a key figure in this football revolution within the club, however, the entire team will have to prove themselves on the pitch against teams like Atlanta United. They have bolstered their roster as well, with big signings like Thiago Almada, who won the MLS’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year award, knocking six goals and 12 assists in 29 games for the 'Five Stripes'.

Of these signings, Messi is not the only talent with European experience. Federico Bernardeschi signed with Toronto FC from Juventus, joining fellow Italian Lorenzo Insigne. 

Inter Miami also signed Sergio Busquets to play alongside former teammate Leo Messi. Both former Barcelona players once again reunited under the orders of Tata Martino. Veteran footballers who may become key figures for both club and league, cementing a new era of football in the U.S.

Tata Martino shared his views towards this coming season during a press conference, claiming "both signings [Messi and Busquests] are joining us to compete and win titles". Fans can't wait to hear the kickoff whistle!