Argentina star player Lionel Messi said the America Major Soccer League was a minor contest but he is happy playing in it.
Messi turned down a lucrative deal to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami on a two-and-a-half year contract in one of the biggest moves in sporting history.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is said to be earning $60 million-a-year at Inter, with Messi taking a cut of MLS Season Pass subscriptions with Apple as well as Adidas shirts sold.
In his first season he scored 11 times in 14 appearances and helped Inter win the Leagues Cup on penalties, as well as guiding them to the US Open Cup final before defeat to Houston Dynamo.
“I said it several times and it is a reality – I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can’t,” Messi told Star+ when asked about the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but a lot happens because of the way one faces it and competes.”
Messi will be 37 next year but still has hopes of achieving more international success with Argentina after recent Copa America and World Cup wins.
The next Copa America will be in the United States and include six CONCACAF sides.
“As long as I feel that I’m fine and I can continue contributing, I’m going to do it,’ Messi explained.
“Today the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa América well and being able to compete in it . Fighting it again like we always did, trying to be champions.”
