Cobi Jones predicts big MLS shift after Inter Miami landed Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez

And speaking to FIFA’s official website, former USA international Jones predicted that MLS can go to the next level with clubs like Inter Miami now willing to push the boat out to sign Messi and Suarez.

Jones said on Messi and Suarez’s potential impact on MLS: “It gives MLS more notoriety and more attention to the game. In LA, we’ve had stars like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“That significantly increased the eyeballs on MLS in the US and internationally. Fast-forward to today, and you have Messi and Suarez and so many other players at a high level. That attracts players who maybe aren’t superstars, but they are future stars.

“All of a sudden, it’s not an issue for players in their early and mid-20s to say, ‘Yeah, I’m going to come to MLS’. I believe you’ll now see more of those players [in their prime years] making the decision to come here.”

MLS can’t throw away this once-in-a-lifetime position.

American soccer has a long and depressing history of standing on the precipice of something amazing before throwing it all away in the final moment.

And whilst MLS was built to put itself in a position where something as severe as total collapse can’t happen, the division can’t throw away what is now being built in the league by Inter Miami.

The reputation of soccer in the US has never been higher, and head of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, MLS has the chance to establish itself as one of the biggest leagues in the world with some for the best players on the planet.

Leo Messi hugging Yassine in the parking lot! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/9tyFw53cX8

— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) March 5, 2024