The economic winds are “very much at the back of MLS,” as sponsorships at both league and club level have “increased about 15%” and the league has the “world's most popular player” in Inter Miami F Lionel Messi, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.com. The pipeline of overseas players “continues to be fruitful,” as young talents like Galaxy F Gabriel Pec and FC Dallas F Petar Musa are joining the league alongside veterans like Inter Miami F Luis Suárez, LAFC G Hugo Lloris and Red Bulls MF Emil Forsberg. With Messi on board, it is "imperative that MLS take advantage of his presence, the better to leverage growth beyond his playing days.” The 2026 World Cup in North America presents a “massive opportunity that must be exploited.” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league "has been signing really big-name international players for many, many years, and we're going to continue to do that.” But he added "as importantly ... I think probably for the first time, I think the story this year is about how some of the great young players, particularly from South America, are choosing MLS.” Garber said he is “not concerned" at all about Messi's presence potentially overshadowing what is happening elsewhere in the league. He said, “Getting people here and around the world to follow MLS and experience it is a positive. Our job is to convert those fans into being passionate supporters of our league and our clubs. And if we have a brand that has global recognition like Inter Miami does, that's a positive” (ESPN.com, 2/19).
