Lionel Messi's sensational switch to Inter Miami is likely to see interest in MLS increase dramatically in the coming years as the iconic forward gears up for a move stateside.
The Argentinian superstar stunned the world when he announced his intention to join David Beckham's franchise this summer ahead of potential moves to former club Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League. It would be fair to say that the 35-year-old's impending arrival in the US has been greeted with major fanfare also, with tickets to see the winger in action for his new side selling out within hours of the revelation.
With 43 trophies to his name for both club and country, alongside a staggering 806 goals in his professional career, there is no doubt that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is the biggest signing in MLS history. In fact, one would probably have to go back to Beckham's own transfer to LA Galaxy in 2007 for an example of a deal that served as a real landmark moment for the sport in the US.
The country will, of course, hold the World Cup in 2026 and it certainly seems possible that Messi's arrival in Florida could well have a transformative impact in the next three years. Currently, football is the fourth most popular sport in the US but the early indications suggest that the hype around the Paris Saint-Germain man has very much captured the imagination of the public at large.
One can certainly see a situation where the Argentine's matches in MLS garner massive international attention also and it is likely that the signing will bring the league to a whole new audience across the globe. In this vein, we at Mirror Sport thought we would remind our readers of some familiar former Premier League faces you may see take on Messi in the coming months...
Ashley Westwood
The former Aston Villa and Burnley defender played a total of ten Premier League seasons, making 286 appearances for the two sides in the English top tier. He made the move to Charlotte FC earlier this year and has made 13 outings in MLS for his new side.
Brad Guzan
Another former Aston Villa player, the 64-time USMNT goalkeeper served the Midlands club with distinction, making 171 appearances after signing from Chivas USA. Following a temporary switch to Middlesbrough, a move back to MLS side Atlanta United beckoned in 2017, where he has made 175 appearances.
Bryan Oviedo
The Costa Rican defender is probably best remembered in England for a memorable strike for Everton versus Manchester United in a 1-0 win in 2013. Spells at Goodison Park and Sunderland yielded 148 appearances, with the left-back now plying his trade at Real Salt Lake.
Carles Gil
Two years at Villa Park resulted in a relegation, with the former Valencia ace having made 34 appearances over a couple of seasons. The midfielder signed for New England Revolution back in 2019, however, and hasn't looked back — bagging 31 goals in 127 outings and winning the coveted Landon Donovan MVP Award in 2021.
How many of these former Premier League stars do you recall? Let us know in the comments section...
Carlos Vela
The former Arsenal forward never really hit it off at the Emirates, struggling to break into the side as a youngster and appearing 64 times in all competitions, scoring 11 times. A loan move to West Brom should also be noted but he has really found a home at Los Angeles FC, having scored 86 goals in 160 games, while winning the Best MLS Player ESPY Award last year as his side won the MLS Cup.
Christian Benteke
The Belgian forward had an eventful career in the Premier League, turning out for Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace in a nine-year stay in England. He scored 86 times in the Premier League in all and is now playing for D.C. United under Wayne Rooney, where he has notched nine goals in 23 outings.
Danny Wilson
One may recall that the once highly-tipped Scottish defender played a couple of times for Liverpool after signing for the club during the short tenure of Roy Hodgson at Anfield. However, he would be moved on back to the SPL following a series of loan spells and has spent the last five years playing for Colorado Rapids, where he has played 117 times.
Mateusz Klich
Featuring in Leeds United's promotion winning side during 2019/20, the 41-time Poland international featured across three seasons in the Premier League for the Elland Road outfit, turning out 82 times in the top flight. A move to D.C. United beckoned earlier this year, however, and he has made 14 appearances under Wayne Rooney so far.
Victor Wanyama
The former Southampton and Tottenham anchorman was a reliable enforcer at the base of midfield for his two clubs in the Premier League, making 194 appearances in all. One cannot forget his piledriver at Anfield in 2018 either, before his move to CF Montreal in 2020, where he has played 106 times over four campaigns.
Xherdan Shaqiri
The talented Swiss attacking midfielder has quite the CV, having turned out for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, alongside Stoke City and Liverpool in the Premier League. He made 155 during six seasons in England and scored 23 times before a move to Chicago Fire, where he has scored eight times in 45 outings.
