The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer

Tenorio, a senior writer for the Athletic, debuts with a detailed overview of Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer. Inter Miami FC co-owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham oversaw Messi’s move to Miami in the summer of 2023. In addition to leading Inter Miami to its first-ever MLS Cup victory in 2025, Messi brought commercial success to the team and MLS as a whole, increasing viewership, sponsorship revenue, and retail sales. Tenorio dives into the business side of the sport, explaining how Mas hoped to use Messi’s move to disrupt the league, which he felt was hampered by restrictive rules, including spending regulations that forced teams to funnel funds to a few star players, leading to a lower-quality product on the field. The league considered altering the rules but chose not to make significant changes until after the 2026 World Cup. “The league remained frustratingly constrained by its own bureaucracy,” Tenorio writes, as Inter Miami capitalized on Messi’s arrival to create a winning team and successful brand. Tenorio expertly weaves business reportage with a rousing narrative of Messi’s role in validating the MLS as a global competitor. This will entertain soccer fans. (June)