In the world of soccer, few names shine brighter than Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar has captivated fans around the globe with his incredible skill and talent. Recently, Messi made headlines when he joined Inter Miami for their preseason friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. However, despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, the club's preseason has not gone as planned.
Inter Miami has struggled in their preseason matches, conceding a total of 10 goals against Saudi Arabian clubs. Fans were disappointed when the highly anticipated meeting between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never materialized. Adding to their woes, Messi had to be rested due to a mild adductor injury while in Hong Kong, which caused outrage locally and led to the cancellation of Argentina national team friendlies scheduled for March.
Perhaps most concerning is Messi's own admission of fatigue during this demanding time. As the greatest living player on earth, his words raise eyebrows. This situation is far from ideal, especially considering that Inter Miami is gearing up for their first full MLS season and the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is just around the corner.
The lessons to be learned from this cautionary tale should not be ignored by other MLS clubs considering similar globe-trotting preseason tours in the future. While Inter Miami's ambition in seeking global attention should be commended, MLS as a whole should foster an environment where more clubs feel empowered to use their preseasons as marketing opportunities, akin to what European giants have been doing for decades.
One way to achieve this is by aligning the MLS schedule with Europe's top leagues, shifting from a spring-to-fall season to a fall-to-spring schedule. Often overlooked when discussing this alignment is the transformative impact it could have on MLS preseason preparations.
Let's consider Inter Miami's journey as an example and examine how things would differ in a summer trip. Firstly, the wear and tear on the team would be less concerning, as their most crucial matches would be months away, with the exception of the Leagues Cup. This would reduce the risk of injuries or fatigue affecting the team's performance.
Moreover, an ambitious MLS team could schedule high-profile opponents during the summer months, potentially without needing to travel. This is when the United States welcomes many of Europe's biggest clubs for their own preseason camps, drawing the attention and support of countless American soccer fans. Currently, MLS teams miss out on such opportunities due to domestic league and cup commitments.
By flipping the schedule, MLS teams could regularly face off against prestigious clubs like FC Barcelona or Bayern Munich before their respective regular seasons kick off. Additionally, clubs that do not visit the United States often travel to the same East Asian markets that Inter Miami targeted this preseason. Therefore, teams could explore these global markets while playing against top-tier opponents, enhancing both the quality of competition and marketability of the preseason matches.
Admittedly, there are significant challenges to adopting a fall-to-spring regular season in the United States and Canada. For instance, a winter break during the coldest weeks of the year would likely be necessary. Additionally, scheduling the Leagues Cup in warmer climates during mid-January to mid-February could help alleviate concerns.
However, the notion that it makes more sense to host regular season games in the warmest months rather than arranging appealing exhibitions against world-class teams is mere fiction. As more star players, like Lionel Messi, make their way to MLS in the coming years, the league would be wise to consider a schedule shift that allows for more captivating exhibitions while minimizing the competitive cost experienced by Inter Miami.
In conclusion, the preseason journey of Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi at the forefront, has highlighted both the ambition and challenges of MLS teams aiming to gain global attention. Although the results have not been favorable, the efforts to prioritize marketing and engage fans through preseason exhibitions are commendable. By aligning the MLS schedule with European leagues and embracing the opportunities it presents, MLS can elevate its preseason experiences, captivate wider audiences, and attract even more star power in the future.
