Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, what you might have missed and what to keep an eye on in the coming days.
ONSIDE
Lionel Messi is coming to America
This is huge.
To call Messi’s move to MLS and Inter Miami a monumental moment for America’s soccer landscape is to undersell it. This is massive in more ways than one. Let’s begin with the actual audience — both as fans and active players, young, old, regardless of gender, amateur or professional. From a participation perspective, the interest for high schoolers is increasing and as the pay-to-play system continues to be fought, more immigrant communities and younger generations are selecting the sport over traditional American choices.
Viewership-wise? Forget about it. The social and digital landscape has opened the doors for millions to consume the game — from mobile to smart TVs, YouTube and social media — and MLS, specifically with its Apple distribution deal — is now going to have a global reach. All leading up to 2026, when the U.S., Canada and Mexico host the World Cup. Now, Messi’s arrival accelerates this entire process, not just for Inter Miami and the league, but for the country in general.
There are also talks of Sergio Busquets joining as well as other reputable, albeit aging, stars such as Jordi Alba. Time is not necessarily an issue but it’s also not a commodity. Beckham had to wait until his fifth season with the Galaxy to win his first MLS Cup, and Messi probably doesn’t have that long, but the hope is to strengthen the team sooner rather than later.
Regardless, Messi’s arrival is a victory for other clubs in the league as his introduction impacts other possible transfer targets. More players from all over the world will want to come to the league. Before Messi, MLS was already healthy as it has a core of young Latin Americans including young Argentinians (Thiago Almada, Emanuel Reynoso, Julian Carranza) as well as Europeans (Lorenzo Insigne, Xherdan Shaqiri) and big Mexican names (Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez).
Now, MLS has Messi. This is how a league becomes powerful.
OFFSIDE
Can Inter block Man City’s treble?
The Messi telenovela made us forget that there’s a tiny, trivial thing called the Champions League final on Saturday. The imperial Man City, genius manager Pep Guardiola and his team of superstars, notably the Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland, are hoping for history against Internazionale with the chance of a treble.
Let’s begin with the fact that I don’t see anything less than a Man City victory. This team is just too good. Even when they’re not good, they’re good. Even when they’re down on their luck during a match, all they need is a moment. So do I think Simone Inzaghi’s resilient, stubborn Inter can get something here? No. I don’t.
