By Shumaila Aslam
Bureau Chief Pakistan
Scandinavian News Agency
Finland
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has just completed what analysts call the best individual season in Major League Soccer (MLS) history, yet his brilliance seems to have fallen short of propelling the league into mainstream American sports culture.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, delivered a record-breaking performance — scoring consistently, creating historic moments, and drawing global attention to U.S. soccer. Still, despite packed stadiums and viral highlights, the enthusiasm hasn’t fully translated into long-term national engagement with MLS.
Sports experts say the league continues to struggle with viewership and fan loyalty compared to giants like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. “Messi brought magic, but one man alone can’t transform a country’s sporting culture overnight,” noted one analyst.
For now, Messi’s legacy in America seems to be one of excellence overshadowed by indifference — a reminder that even football’s greatest star can’t single-handedly make America fall in love with soccer.
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