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Let’s get Messi fans to watch the MLS… even when he isn’t playing.
The 2024 MLS Cup was an instant classic, with the LA Galaxy defeating New York Red Bulls to claim their sixth league title in a match that was arguably one of the best in the 2024 MLS Season.
Crown them. @LAGalaxy are back on top of MLS. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/J4qmcZ5t0k
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 7, 2024
The grand finale of the current campaign came just days after reports revealed that Major League Soccer was the second soccer league with the most attendance in the world, only behind the Premier League.
Over 12 million people tuned in to watch MLS games through Apple TV and other platforms.
Entering MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi, @MLS' 2024 total attendance of more than 12.1 million fans ranks as the second most among all global soccer leagues, behind only the English Premier League. pic.twitter.com/SXOaY1BpR4
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) December 5, 2024
This impressive viewership stature could’ve indirectly, however, been affected by the arrival of Lionel Messi to the league, with the Argentine playing his first full season with Inter Miami since arriving to the club in 2023. He was the league's most-valuable player and won the 2024 Supporters' Shield.
In fact, people who were interested in seeing Messi throughout the season (at least at home) were often reminded by the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner on social media with posts and links sending fans directly to the Apple TV stream platform (even when he wasn’t playing).
This was present this weekend in the lead up to the MLS Cup final on Saturday, with Messi sharing the stream link to his fans via Instagram stories.
“The MLS Cup final is today and next season we’re coming back stronger to try and fight for the title” he wrote.
This post, along with ones in the past, are likely part of the 37-year-old’s deal with Inter Miami, MLS and Apple TV — with the streaming platform said to have made a huge financial effort to seal the Argentine’s signature.
Messi will return to MLS action with Inter Miami until 2025, with the club set to host the opening match of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ahly on June 14.
