Felipe Cardenas, Senior soccer writer at The Athletic, and Phil Hay, Football reporter at The Athletic, dive into the fallout of Inter Miami's early playoff exit. They discuss Messi's significant brand impact on MLS and the pressures on team management amid high expectations. The conversation touches on the hefty financial investments in soccer and the challenges facing clubs post-retirement of star players. They also analyze the transformative effects of the partnership between MLS and Apple, enhancing league visibility and fan engagement.
Inter Miami's early playoff exit raises contrasting opinions on whether their season is a success or failure despite Messi's impact.
Messi's influence on MLS underscores the need for sustainable growth strategies beyond star power to enhance the league's future.
Deep dives
Inter Miami's Playoff Exit and Public Perception
Inter Miami's early exit from the MLS Cup playoffs has sparked a debate over whether their season should be considered a success or a failure. Despite their disappointing playoff performance, the team had previously set records, including winning the Supporters' Shield and showcasing Lionel Messi's outstanding talent. The contrasting sentiments around this exit highlight a larger narrative, as the team went from being virtually invisible to becoming a prominent brand in soccer due to Messi's arrival. Various sports media outlets are now covering the team more extensively, raising questions about the implications of this playoff exit for the future of the franchise.
Messi's Impact on MLS and Competitive Landscape
Lionel Messi's signing has significantly elevated the recognition of MLS, illustrating just how competitive the league has become. His presence has raised questions about the overall quality of the league and how it can match up against other prominent soccer leagues worldwide. With constant comparisons to previous star players like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Messi's performance has indicated that MLS teams can compete on a higher level than many might have anticipated. The playoffs revealed that even big-name teams are vulnerable, as evidenced by the upset from an Atlanta United club that had faced challenges earlier in the season.
Future Challenges for MLS Post-Messi
As the MLS aims to grow in prominence, questions arise about the long-term sustainability of Messi's influence on the league. While his presence has drawn more eyes to proceedings, some industry insiders warn that having a singular star cannot be the league's sole strategy. The league must explore ways to build talent and engagement independent of one player to ensure growth continues after Messi's inevitable departure. This situation highlights the importance of creating a diverse player development system and establishing a brand identity that resonates with a broad audience.
Club World Cup Invitation Sparks Critique
Inter Miami's qualification for the Club World Cup has been met with skepticism, particularly regarding the unusual manner of their entry. Many view their invitation as a deliberate effort to leverage Messi's popularity to draw attention to the tournament, rather than a reflection of their performance. This decision has raised questions about the credibility of the tournament itself and the potential ramifications for MLS and FIFA going forward. Critics argue that this move could diminish the legitimacy of MLS's flagship competitions and highlights a wider trend of drawing on global superstar appearances for marketing leverage.