Lionel Messi can make Inter Miami Major League Soccer’s answer to Kansas City Chiefs and New York Yankees, says league chief Don Garber – with World Cup winner kick-starting 2024 season tonight vs. Real Salt Lake

MLS commissioner Don Garber isn’t concerned that Inter Miami’s rapid rise to prominence will overshadow the rest of the league. In fact, he thinks a super team will attract even more fans.

With the season kicking off Wednesday night in Miami, Lionel Messi and the Herons open the 2024 Major League Soccer season at home against Real Salt Lake.

In an interview with ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, Garber says the fear that Inter Miami will get the most attention worldwide isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As an example, he cited outdated franchises in other leagues.

“Well, I’m not worried about it at all,” said the commissioner.

“We always try to open our team and our league to people who are fans of the sport who may not yet be fully involved with our clubs, and get people here and around the world to follow and experience the MLS that it is a positive.

“Our job is to transform these fans into passionate supporters of our league and our clubs. And when we have a brand that enjoys worldwide fame, such as Inter Miami, that is positive.

‘And I think you see that with clubs that resonate in all competitions around the world.

“There are probably more followers of the New York Yankees around the world than of any other Major League Baseball club.

“I think that’s good for Major League Baseball and certainly for the followers of teams like the Dallas Cowboys and now the Kansas City Chiefs around the world – that’s good for the NFL.

“And now it’s up to all of us to take that experience and spend time convincing all those new fans that MLS can be really important to their football relationship, so I’m not worried about that at all.”

Messi wasn’t the only star player to arrive in MLS this offseason. He brought Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba and later added Luis Suarez to complete a Barcelona quartet.

Other teams brought in well-known players, such as Emil Forsberg from the New York Red Bulls. Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski have been linked with a move to America, as has AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud.

But Garber revealed he remains skeptical about the idea of ​​clubs wanting to get too big on the biggest and most notable names.

“I think our fanbase and sometimes the media think this is some kind of plan. You know, “Let’s sign

“Teams make decisions that work for them, that work for them on the field, that work for them off the field.

“There’s no grand strategy that says, ‘Let’s attract more big-name players.’ Honestly, it’s more about how can we develop more competitive teams to continue our rivalry with Mexico? How can we be more relevant around the world and more competitive against other clubs, our participation in the Champions Cup? Then of course that moves on to the Club World Cup and how can we be more competitive in that tournament?

“This is more about a long-term plan to increase the competitiveness of our league and the popularity of our teams and each club, and this is the most important part of it: each club has to decide how that’s going to work best for them. .

‘The LA Galaxy had decided to do that with big name players, and Miami certainly wants to do that with the best player in the history of the game and a very South American focus, both on a technical level and on the pitch. level.

‘Some teams will do this by creating a special experience locally. St. Louis is a great example of this, where they have been successful on the field and are incredibly relevant and connected off the field. Each club has to decide what makes sense for them.

‘I think the time when the league came up with broad strategies for our clubs is over. Our clubs are now well positioned and have the experienced staff and committed ownership to make and support the decisions that make sense for them.”