Messi's Impact: Revolutionizing American Soccer

 Messi's Impact: Revolutionizing American Soccer

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF at the end of the Leagues Cup 2023 match against Orlando City SC (1) and Inter Miami CF (3) at the DRV PNK Stadium on August 2nd, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida(Image-Getty)

Just as Inter Miami's game has been revolutionized by the arrival of Lionel Messi, so has American soccer. Things are even crazier off the field. Messi-effect has fallen in the whole country. Courtesy of him, the football market in the US has also expanded greatly.

However, Netherlands legend Ruud Khulit thinks that Messi is not enough to inspire the next generation of the United States. The country has to produce its own star players.

The biggest success in the football history of the Netherlands was winning the 1988 Euro. Khulit was the captain of that team. The former AC Milan star also scored in the final against the Soviet Union. It has been the Dutch's only title so far.

61-year-old Khulit is currently working as a football expert. Recently, he gave an exclusive interview to online betting website 'Gambling Zone'.

In an interview, he said, "I think the United States needs its own heroes." That's the real thing. Finally they got Pulisic. But (players of Pulisic's quality) are not coming regularly. To do better, we need to create local players. Messi's arrival is interesting. Because Messi is Messi. Especially since there are so many Spanish speakers there (in Miami) there is more interest in him. But the most important thing for the US is to make local players stars. They need a player who has done really well in Europe.'

According to Khulit, while bringing in star players for big money is a positive thing for Major League Soccer (MLS), there is no alternative to developing local players with the future generation in mind, 'something they did first by bringing in Beckham (David Beckham left Real Madrid in 2007). Los Angeles Galaxy). It contributed to the popularity of football in the United States. Now trying to increase popularity with Messi. But ultimately America's children need to have their own heroes to tell. So that they can say, "Hey, I have a chance (to be a big-time footballer) too".'

Messi had a good debut season in American football. Scored 11 goals in 14 matches in all competitions, scored 5 through teammates. Inter Miami, owned by Beckham, won the League Cup under his hands, which is the first title in the history of the club.

Messi is having a long vacation as the US football season is over and there is no Argentina game for now. Messi can return to the field with pre-season preparation against Salvador on January 19. His team Inter Miami will also tour Asia in February as part of pre-season preparations.