Lionel Messi could significantly raise the profile of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the game as a whole in the United States, experts said, with the Argentine forward's move to Inter Miami drawing attention from across the globe.
In a surprising turnaround to his career, after winning the World Cup with Argentina and a failed negotiation to return to Barcelona, the 36-year-old joined Inter Miami last month, taking a wave of devoted fans with him.
Messi is by no means the first star name to move to the United States, with late Brazil great Pele, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic having previously plied their trade in the country.