New Delhi: The impact of Lionel Messi on Major League Soccer (MLS) has been well-documented. Since joining the American soccer revolution in 2023, the league has seen growth across the board with sponsorship revenue, season ticket sales, and merchandise sales witnessing exponential rise.
The arrival of the Argentine talisman in the USA has completely changed the landscape of soccer in the country which lagged behind the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL) and National Hockey League (NHL) since time immemorial.
While these American sports leagues are still miles ahead of MLS in all aspects (popularity, and revenue to name a few), the official match attendance figures in 2024 are a big sign of things to come in the future.
Messi effect transforming MLS
According to an official statement released by MLS, more than 11 million fans attended Major League Soccer games this season, breaking the previous record of 10.9 million fans who watched games from the stands in 2023.
Averaging 23,240 fans per game, the league broke the 11 million-fan barrier for the first time in history.
MLS said that the arrival of superstar footballers such as Lionel Messi – whose presence in the league has often forced teams to organise fixtures in bigger stadiums – has played a big role in boosting attendance.
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With the regular season yet to be completed, the record-breaking tally might still witness a surge. Sixteen more fixtures are due before the season wraps up on October 19.
This is the third consecutive year that MLS has drawn more than 10 million fans.
Messi’s Inter Miami are sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference table with 71 points, 11 ahead of second-placed Columbus Crew.
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Messi, who has battled injury this season, scored a brace in his previous game to help Inter Miami clinch the 2024 Supporters’ Shield with a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew last Wednesday at Lower.com Field in Ohio.
In 20 games this season, Messi has scored 19 goals and provided 17 assists.
Major League Soccer (MLS) broke the previous attendance record of 10.9 million fans who flocked the stadiums in 2023. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
