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In a recent interview in his home country of Argentina pertaining to his availability for the 2026 World Cup, soccer superstar Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer -- his current home -- "a minor league."
The comment to Star+ came in the context of laying out his priorities, which continue to be trying to support his national team to the fullest. That includes competing in next summer's Copa America for Argentina.
"I said it several times and it is a reality -- I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can't," Messi said. "I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but a lot happens because of the way one faces it and competes."
Lionel Messi's "MLS minor league" quote
MESSI CALLS MLS "A MINOR LEAGUE"
"I am also aware that I went to a minor league," says Messi in a new interview with Star+. "Today the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa América well and being able to compete in it." #Messi https://t.co/QQrwONJA8O pic.twitter.com/JWIdjeijIP— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) December 1, 2023
What does MLS want Messi to call it when it regularly fields defenders against Messi every week who make at most $1,500?
Every team Messi played in the last month of the season featured a defender making under $100k annuallyBe serious https://t.co/QN7f2zFQTx
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) December 1, 2023
It’s essential to understand when he says “me fui a una liga menor” he obviously means it in relation to where he was before…in Europe.
Saying “a minor league” doesn’t do the meaning of Messi’s words justice because he wasn’t taking a jab at MLS, as it could be interpreted. https://t.co/8IzxLoOCT7— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) December 1, 2023
Messi, who joined Inter Miami during the 2023 season and immediately sparked the club to a Leagues Cup championship while scoring 11 goals in 14 games, was an energizing factor for the team as well as the league, drawing huge crowds wherever he suited up.
Because of a poor start to the season, Inter Miami missed the MLS playoffs at 9-7-18.
--Field Level Media
