Lionel Messi's impact on Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami since 2023 is acknowledged by coach Javier Mascherano, who believes Messi is changing the global perception of the league. Messi's presence has drawn record-breaking crowds, such as the recent 62,358 fans at Soldier Field during a match against Chicago Fire. Other MLS clubs have also moved games to larger venues to accommodate the demand to watch Messi play.
Inter Miami currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference, with the team attributing their recent goal drought to a busy schedule and high competition level. Despite this, Mascherano commends the team's resilience and defensive efforts, as they now prepare for upcoming matches against Columbus Crew and the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Mascherano emphasizes the league's responsibility to continue leveraging Messi's presence for the growth of soccer in the United States.