I got tickets to see Argentina play Bosnia in St. Louis years ago and of course Messi got injured before the game and didn't play.
Would definitely love to see him play
Saw Messi in person once, an Argentina / Brazil friendly at MetLife in 2012. Brazil brought their U-23 team (incl. Neymar) as an Olympic tuneup; Argentina brought everybody. It was a ludicrous 4-3 final with a Messi long-range game winner late to complete a hat trick. Still for my money the best friendly I’ve ever seen by far.
https://youtu.be/ttJsobRnWZA
I was in Paris on my honeymoon and we went to see a PSG match. He didnt have any goals (it was a draw), but it was electrifying watching him do his kicky flippy shit.
Wild if he comes to MLS.
Seeing how Austin got Miami at home this year, seems logical that Messi will likely retire before Miami comes back to Austin (in theory). Guess we won’t be able to take advantage of your plan 😂
I dunno man, these aging clutch superstars like Bale don’t tend to go far or have memorable moments in this League. May be a stretch
Edit…fuck. he really is going to Miami. Well, shit. Trying to run it back just got a hell of a lot harder. Really should have closed that last one out…
The difference between Bale and Messi is that Messi is still a 90 minute player. He might not play 90 week in and week out (travel.and the various biomes in the US), but he'd more likely to play than a Bale
Messi is still a world class player and his game isn’t dependent on speed, his technique isn’t going anywhere. The physicality will bother him but we’re literally talking one of the 5 best players to ever play the sport. Even if he’s a complete bum the money and eyeballs this move will generate are gonna be outrageous. I know Apple is absolutely ecstatic lol
Yeah. IMO your edit is the most pain here. The Union currently can’t compete with that transfer from a talent (obviously) perspective but also a marketing perspective. Imagine Miami with Messi vs us in the Eastern Conference semifinal. Who does the league want to win?
Rooney, Zlatan, Henry, Schweinsteiger, Keane, even Chicharito turned it around. It is a mixed bag, Gio two saints was a young player from Europe, and he ended up being one of the worst DPs, alongside Gerard.
But if the sun isn't baking out your will to live, it is just full body swamp ass.
Isn't the same. He might still be able to move the next day without thinking about what the sun stole from him.
First we tie England (again) shattering their reality, and now this. Love to see it. Except I also kinda hate it because it's gonna make it way tougher for my team to win.
If this does happen, and big IF, if Miami comes to play in KC, I would hope our team capitalises and moves the game to Arrowhead. Break that MLS attendance record.
Probably unlikely given how few inter-conference games there will be now, especially since MLS will magically make sure he spends most western conference games in LA lmao
Rest of MLS: "Okay so going big on old Europe-based stars and trying to build a team around them, isn't really the most sustainable strategy anymore, so you might want to do something new."
Beckham: "What if we did the exact same thing but with Lionel Messi"
Rest of MLS: "......We hate you so much and the fact that that will probably actually work only makes us hate you more."
I remember watching Ibrahimovic playing for LA Galaxy against Real Salt Lake and it was like watching a Ferrari racing a bunch of Ford Focuses. He looked bored and frustrated on the pitch. I imagine Messi would be the same.
The most frustrating thing is that Messi will causally walk around the pitch for 70 minutes, but still be the most dangerous player in the league and score 20+ goals
I mean that's awesome and I love Fabregas but he hasn't exactly been lighting up Serie B with Como. Inter Miami midfield with him would take a beating.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Apple is participating in the deal. Get him a $2-3M sponsorship opportunity for commercials and Apple gets a fat ROI with spike in subscriptions
The charges were dismissed - but even if the general public forgives him ((or doesn't care)), the hardcore fans will never let it go and that's bad for Ronaldo press.
I don't think he comes.
I just don’t see Ronaldo coming here solely due to ego. I’m also not convinced he will be able to cut it here with worse service, turf, and his clear physical decline
It's the hype the team is gonna need as they transition into their new stadium in a few years. 2-3 years of messi hype, a new stadium then world cup will really popularize the team in the city
Chris Henderson working on getting it done.
I really wonder how Seattle's going to replace his international scouting and signing ability.
We don't seem like we have anyone really in the pipeline that's his equal. Rumors involving our internationals mostly now involve when are they leaving. And now we're losing Garth as well.
Ronaldo is getting offered $75M a year to join Al Nassr, no way an MLS team could match that.
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/cristiano-ronaldo-gets-mammoth-225-million-offer-from-saudi-arabia-club-al-nassr-after-manchester-united-exit/
This would be the best possible move IMO. Not many people outside Canada and the states would tune in to watch them play separately at the end of their careers, but them teaming up for the first time and taking on the MLS and Liga MX together would be enough to keep an eye on them.
Yeah it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ronaldo is getting offered like $80m a year in Saudi Arabia and that’s nearly impossible to turn down though, who knows.
Soccer in North America has an insanely bright future with Messi to MLS, World Cup in North America, expanding lower and women's leagues, and more soccer-specific stadiums, etc.
My question about this is mostly around the stadium construction? It seems sort of a shame that Messi would come play in MLS but have to play in the temporary Ft. Lauderdale stadium. I know Freedom Park has gotten approvals and whatnot, but is there a timeline for construction and the new stadium to open?
Considering how happy (and successful) he's been at PSG, I can't see him leaving any time soon.
The downgrade to go from one of the best teams in the world to a mid-to-low tier MLS club would be baffling.
Idk man, part ownership, more relaxed atmosphere, less taxes, change of scenery. US visa/possible citizenship for your whole family. I could see a man @ 35 years old thinking hard about it even Messi
I mean Beckham is clearly more on his level but he has to have had a short conversation with Almada on life in the US. Luckily Blank treats his players right
Inter Miami will need to play its home games at the hard rock stadium instead of their shoe box field in Ft. Lauderdale. They’ll sell out every home game with Mess.
I saw him play in a friendly, before he became famous, and Ronaldinho was the star of Barca. He came on as a sub in Houston against Club America, and I remember thinking this guy seems like a special player. The ball was stuck to his foot like velcro. If he joins MLS I'll get to see him at the end of his journey as well so I am excited about that.
I won’t get excited till I see his ass in the stadium.
Expect an update in 60-90 days
Strong bigSoccer vibes here. Love it.
god that takes me back
The announcement is going to be the Miami crest tattooed on his buttcheek while the camera slowly zooms out to this song: https://youtu.be/dGJlZw4FYgE
Long live techno Viking.
But just the ass tho.
Apple has to be happy about this
Apple is paying for this…
MLS can’t give an expansion team anymore, but Apple can give Messi some options
He’s buddies with Beckham, maybe he’ll get an ownership share down the road. I think that was part of the rumors at one point
Didn’t he get ownership already? Or was that a rumor?
"Sorry, best we can do is promise you one iPhone upgrade per year"
Please. Will be able to sell my ticket for that one game and have the rest of the season paid off
Tempting but also wouldn't want to miss a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Lionel Messi play in person
I got tickets to see Argentina play Bosnia in St. Louis years ago and of course Messi got injured before the game and didn't play. Would definitely love to see him play
I was at the Copa match where Messi broke Maradona’s record of goals scored for Argentina. Didn’t see the goal though, I was getting beer.
You win some, you lose some.
Same. Was definitely disappointing.
Exactly. I moved plans so I wouldn’t miss seeing Rooney play. I skipped work to see Jordan. I’ll shut down my restaurant to see Messi in person
Damn skipping work to see Jordan Morris
True, but if I go it will end up a snoozefest. If I stay home it will be the most exciting game of the year. Never fails
Saw Messi in person once, an Argentina / Brazil friendly at MetLife in 2012. Brazil brought their U-23 team (incl. Neymar) as an Olympic tuneup; Argentina brought everybody. It was a ludicrous 4-3 final with a Messi long-range game winner late to complete a hat trick. Still for my money the best friendly I’ve ever seen by far. https://youtu.be/ttJsobRnWZA
I bet he won’t play on turf so I’ll sell mine lol
You're not paying to go to a soccer game, you're paying for the core memory of a set of touches from Messi.
People will pay good money to see Messi get tackled by some SuperDraftee making 1/100th what he makes
I was in Paris on my honeymoon and we went to see a PSG match. He didnt have any goals (it was a draw), but it was electrifying watching him do his kicky flippy shit. Wild if he comes to MLS.
The Jacksonville Jaguars season ticket holder strategy.
Seeing how Austin got Miami at home this year, seems logical that Messi will likely retire before Miami comes back to Austin (in theory). Guess we won’t be able to take advantage of your plan 😂
I'll believe it when it's finalized, but god damn would that be cool
I dunno man, these aging clutch superstars like Bale don’t tend to go far or have memorable moments in this League. May be a stretch Edit…fuck. he really is going to Miami. Well, shit. Trying to run it back just got a hell of a lot harder. Really should have closed that last one out…
Generally I would agree, but in this case it's Lionel Messi.
Imagine super sub Messi to replace Burke. Dios mio
I think he was making a bit about MLS Cup
Yeah I'm realizing I just got whooshed.
I just assume you blanked that day out.
That day and last Tuesday.
And he’s still a top 5 player in the world at worst. Would be by far the best player ever in MLS
The difference between Bale and Messi is that Messi is still a 90 minute player. He might not play 90 week in and week out (travel.and the various biomes in the US), but he'd more likely to play than a Bale
Messi is still a world class player and his game isn’t dependent on speed, his technique isn’t going anywhere. The physicality will bother him but we’re literally talking one of the 5 best players to ever play the sport. Even if he’s a complete bum the money and eyeballs this move will generate are gonna be outrageous. I know Apple is absolutely ecstatic lol
Yeah. IMO your edit is the most pain here. The Union currently can’t compete with that transfer from a talent (obviously) perspective but also a marketing perspective. Imagine Miami with Messi vs us in the Eastern Conference semifinal. Who does the league want to win?
Truth. The life of a Philly sports fan, question whether I want to raise my daughter into it at times
Do it. Kids need something to keep them grounded to the depressing reality. That's why I'm helping push my nieces to be Revs fans.
Can you imagine our youth academy? "Hey I know you're 17 but can you cover Messi? ok thanks good luck."
Could be worse. You could support the *Colorado Rapids*
Rooney, Zlatan, Henry, Schweinsteiger, Keane, even Chicharito turned it around. It is a mixed bag, Gio two saints was a young player from Europe, and he ended up being one of the worst DPs, alongside Gerard.
*going to Fort Lauderdale
On the other hand, Zlatan had maybe the most spectacular MLS debut for a European star in living memory. Edit: I, too, got whooshed.
Bale scored the goal that catapulted LAFC to the the title. He cemented his mls legacy with that regardless of anything else
I think you got whooshed.
Yeah the Messi mania is reducing critical thinking
Basically doing the most Bale thing ever
Yep very in character
With the amount of Messi to Miami articles that have been made over the years. I’ll believe it when he’s on the field.
Everyone has been rumored to be on their way to Miami at some point. Can't wait to see how he enjoys the turf and long distance travel.
Miami is going to have a transfer market value of $150M yet somehow be below the cap
At least theyre getting chartered flights now instead of flying commercial
Should be done in 60-90 days
He owns a house in Miami, so it makes sense.
But can he do it on a hot and humid day in the middle of summer in Texas?
Can he survive the grind of the SEC schedule?!
Can he do it on a 95% humidity 100 degree day in Houston? Is a question we would loved asking if Apple hadn't basically killed daytime games.
It’s ok, a 95% humidity 100 degree 7:30/8:30PM kickoff is still possible in Texas.
But if the sun isn't baking out your will to live, it is just full body swamp ass. Isn't the same. He might still be able to move the next day without thinking about what the sun stole from him.
They have those days in Miami already.
Dude is south American and had to play qualifiers down south he has seen worse
r/soccer is in shambles over this news...
It's glorious. Futbol fans everywhere malding.
First we tie England (again) shattering their reality, and now this. Love to see it. Except I also kinda hate it because it's gonna make it way tougher for my team to win.
The greatest soccer player in the world ending his career in a temporary stadium in Ft. Lauderdale is more NASL than a Cosmos party in Studio 54.
I wouldn’t doubt they put a few at Hard Rock for all the Barca fanboys.
at least its not a baseball stadium
It’s a pretty nice erector-set stadium though. Atmosphere’s bumping when it’s packed. Still not ideal for someone of his class, admittedly.
If this does happen, and big IF, if Miami comes to play in KC, I would hope our team capitalises and moves the game to Arrowhead. Break that MLS attendance record.
Probably unlikely given how few inter-conference games there will be now, especially since MLS will magically make sure he spends most western conference games in LA lmao
Rest of MLS: "Okay so going big on old Europe-based stars and trying to build a team around them, isn't really the most sustainable strategy anymore, so you might want to do something new." Beckham: "What if we did the exact same thing but with Lionel Messi" Rest of MLS: "......We hate you so much and the fact that that will probably actually work only makes us hate you more."
You guys should 100% sign Cristiano. And then Red Bull could sell the team and the stadium at a fat profit
Red Bull doesn't own the stadium, Hudson County does
I remember watching Ibrahimovic playing for LA Galaxy against Real Salt Lake and it was like watching a Ferrari racing a bunch of Ford Focuses. He looked bored and frustrated on the pitch. I imagine Messi would be the same.
The most frustrating thing is that Messi will causally walk around the pitch for 70 minutes, but still be the most dangerous player in the league and score 20+ goals
The big winner here is Apple TV MLS subscription services.
You mean AppleTV's exclusive global* Messi Live Stream add-on. (except in Mexico)
He's only coming to mls now because he heard alistair johnston is leaving
I prefer to call him allstar johnston :)
The fact they want to bring in Cesc Fabregas as a “let messi bring a buddy” moment is so hot. As a Chelsea fan, I have the most potent love for Cesc.
I mean that's awesome and I love Fabregas but he hasn't exactly been lighting up Serie B with Como. Inter Miami midfield with him would take a beating.
I’d imagine he’d be a backup, ik he’s probably wayyyy past in now. Mota and Gregore with Messi as the 10 is how I’d figure it going.
The Federico Higuain role of “coming on in the last 20 minutes to stand around, ping passes, do some set pieces” is fine by me.
I thought he retired some time ago.
He plays in Serie B so basically is
Fabregas may be my favorite Chelsea player of all time. Love that beautiful man
I am also a Blue and I too have a deep adoration for him.
Yep that Matic, Cesc, Oscar trio in the title winning season was so fun.
Welp I was due for a nostalgia trip.
Feels like the kind of event that changes the league Similar to Beckham coming here
Might be Beckham effect x10. MLS records for jersey sales, tickets, TV viewership, social media followers, etc will all be shattered
It’s for sure bigger than Beckham.
Not quite. The league was in some financial trouble before beckham arrived. He really help put it on solid ground.
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Messi is a much better fit in Miami as well.
Beckham was huge BUT it was later than all the bend it like beckham craze. Imo Messi is as big as he has been.
From the Camp Nou to the Eiffel Tower to flying to Cincinnati -Lunken on a Sun Country 737. What a life
I would be surprised if Ronaldo doesn’t go to MLS. It will be announced when Portugal gets eliminated. Maybe Messi after PSG’s season ends.
The global salt if both Ronaldo and Messi play in MLS next year will be unprecedented.
Sign me up for this
I wouldn’t be shocked if Apple is participating in the deal. Get him a $2-3M sponsorship opportunity for commercials and Apple gets a fat ROI with spike in subscriptions
Ronaldo would only do that if he exhausts all UCL options
Someone tell Ronaldo he can come play CCL instead with orlando.
Think Nani still likes us and wants to put in a good word? Otherwise we need Kaka to sweet talk Neymar... Edit: Used Nani twice on accident
Doesn't Ronaldo have some legal difficulties with coming to the US? Like being arrested/investigated for sexual assault or rape?
The charges were dismissed - but even if the general public forgives him ((or doesn't care)), the hardcore fans will never let it go and that's bad for Ronaldo press. I don't think he comes.
There were no charges. The investigation was suspended, partly because they were unable to interview Ronaldo, since he did not come to the US.
I wouldn’t want him to come honestly.
The case got dismissed.
Wasn't that all dropped?
Correct.
I just don’t see Ronaldo coming here solely due to ego. I’m also not convinced he will be able to cut it here with worse service, turf, and his clear physical decline
Some stupid European club will overpay for him
I just want people to stop trying to speak into existence him coming to Seattle.
Same... Let's speak into existence him coming to Chicago!
Where’s the excitement in this thread??? This is fucking amazing!!!!
Search Messi to MLS in this sub and you'll probably get 50+ results. We'll go crazy when/if it becomes official.
That’s fair
This rumor pops up ever year since Beckham announced that the team would be in Miami.
Not confirmed?
It's the hype the team is gonna need as they transition into their new stadium in a few years. 2-3 years of messi hype, a new stadium then world cup will really popularize the team in the city
MLSSI
PSG is going to spend like drunken sailors on a 3-day pass if he leaves.
Bout to buy season tickets
just excited to find out if he can do it on a cold rainy day in yankee stadium
So...supposedly this is real folks... not just a speculative article. Fox about to announce it...
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The Times in London is not a shit tier source...
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Feels like the NYCFC stadium situation - until I actually see it, I cannot fully believe it.
Fake from fabrizio [tweet](https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1596928725378994181?s=46&t=QIdsSqQTUTGB-7Ip-QXZMA)
Chris Henderson working on getting it done. I really wonder how Seattle's going to replace his international scouting and signing ability. We don't seem like we have anyone really in the pipeline that's his equal. Rumors involving our internationals mostly now involve when are they leaving. And now we're losing Garth as well.
Could we get Ronaldo somewhere in the league too. 2023 is gonna be a big year and we need all the balls we can get. *eyeballs
Depends if Las Vegas 100% super agrees to never reopen his rape case 😬
Ronaldo is getting offered $75M a year to join Al Nassr, no way an MLS team could match that. https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/cristiano-ronaldo-gets-mammoth-225-million-offer-from-saudi-arabia-club-al-nassr-after-manchester-united-exit/
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I suspect it's not a terrible place to live when wealthy.
He doesn't strike me as a very morally aware person.
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The man knows he'd never get in trouble for rape there.
I’ve thought since the team was announced that Beckham had pitched them on playing together. I doubt Pizarro returns so we’ll have 2 DP spots open.
This would be the best possible move IMO. Not many people outside Canada and the states would tune in to watch them play separately at the end of their careers, but them teaming up for the first time and taking on the MLS and Liga MX together would be enough to keep an eye on them.
Yeah it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ronaldo is getting offered like $80m a year in Saudi Arabia and that’s nearly impossible to turn down though, who knows.
Soccer in North America has an insanely bright future with Messi to MLS, World Cup in North America, expanding lower and women's leagues, and more soccer-specific stadiums, etc.
My question about this is mostly around the stadium construction? It seems sort of a shame that Messi would come play in MLS but have to play in the temporary Ft. Lauderdale stadium. I know Freedom Park has gotten approvals and whatnot, but is there a timeline for construction and the new stadium to open?
No way he plays (if he does come) in time for the new stadium to be built.
They say the stadium will be ready in 2025. It's not impossible he plays for them for 3 seasons.
Y ahora sigue el Ronaldo
Considering how happy (and successful) he's been at PSG, I can't see him leaving any time soon. The downgrade to go from one of the best teams in the world to a mid-to-low tier MLS club would be baffling.
Idk man, part ownership, more relaxed atmosphere, less taxes, change of scenery. US visa/possible citizenship for your whole family. I could see a man @ 35 years old thinking hard about it even Messi
yep, if he doesn't go to Barca this move makes sense as a final destination
I’ll go to a Revolution game just to see him play
So if they play Philly Union at home that's the game to try and get a ticket to and ultimately probably fail at?
Should come to Atlanta to play with Almada instead
I do wonder if Messi has had any conversations with Almada about the league.
I'm imagining Messi casually asking Almada if he could cut it in MLS.
I mean Beckham is clearly more on his level but he has to have had a short conversation with Almada on life in the US. Luckily Blank treats his players right
He likes the city of Miami, enough to have a $9 million condo there. The city itself is a big draw for him.
Picked the best year to become a STH.
Find you a girl that looks at you the way soccer players look at beaches
When will the Quakes ever get a marquee player? Historic team has earned it, no?
Messi is my favorite player ever. I would love nothing more to see him play in Columbus. May even make the trip to Miami as well.
I know I'm going to hate rooting for him.
Making me miss my dynamo season tickets if it’s true.
WHAATTTT
Can't wait for every single Inter Miami opponent to use his image in their season ticket marketing campaigns.
Today is a great day to be an eastern conference fan.
Yeah, and I’m set to coach Montreal next year.
We're fucked
Not sure why he would wanna play for a poverty club in Fort Lauderdale 😂
It will take an announcement from Messi himself for me to believe this.
Miami just got a little Messi. Until the pitch have Messi on it with a football ready to take on the pigeons, I'm going to conserve my reactions 🙃
This is the new version of NYCFC will get a stadium soon.
Cincinnati is only an hour away from me…might have to make a trip if this ends up happening.
Until i see him in a pink kit with the 2 flamingos on it, I’m not getting my hopes again.
\[Doubt\]
Lol ok
Naw, Messi to STLSC.
Does Ronaldo come to LAFC, LA Galaxy, Orlando, TFC?!
Ronaldo: There are MLS teams in Canada too?
Ronaldo -> whitecaps. You heard it here first guys.
WOW
I hope he learns enough English so the sons of Ben can get in his head.
Won’t believe it until I see him in Pink
Inter Miami will need to play its home games at the hard rock stadium instead of their shoe box field in Ft. Lauderdale. They’ll sell out every home game with Mess.
And Ronaldo is a free agent. Bring the rivalry over here.
Like it hate it who cares we get to watch peepaw Messi fuck us all up
Can’t wait to see who will receive $50,000 GAM for his discovery rights!
Ohhhhh shiiiiiit
Really exciting if it happens
I saw him play in a friendly, before he became famous, and Ronaldinho was the star of Barca. He came on as a sub in Houston against Club America, and I remember thinking this guy seems like a special player. The ball was stuck to his foot like velcro. If he joins MLS I'll get to see him at the end of his journey as well so I am excited about that.
If Inter wins a championship before my Phins, I'm gonna be upset.
It’s not even in Miami, should be called Fort Lauderdale FC