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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi moved to Florida in summer of 2023</li><li>Argentine GOAT has attracted global interest</li><li>Questions being asked of what future holds</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

MLS warned about a league without 'kingpin' Lionel Messi as ex-New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips makes 'longer fix' plea to Don Garber

Major League Soccer

San Jose Earthquakes

Inter Miami CF

<p>For now, U.S. soccer continues to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/like-seeing-michael-jordan-greatest-why-tickets-lionel-messi-show-inter-miami-remain-expensive/blt630bce8421fa19c0" target="_blank">benefit from the presence of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi</a>. Where he goes, stadiums sell out and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/celebrity-ticket-requests-watch-lionel-messi-inter-miami-really-crazy-a-list-stars-michael-phelps-swim-usain-bolt-run/blt85f3a676e0646d6b" target="_blank">A-list guests flock to catch a glimpse of the Argentine GOAT</a> in action.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi inspired Inter Miami to Leagues Cup success within weeks of his arrival in Florida, while the 2024 campaign <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">delivered Supporters’ Shield glory</a> in record-breaking fashion and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wasnt-my-mvp-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-reacts-lionel-messi-award-inter-miami-superstar-named-best-mls-2024/bltf4316515654b3054" target="_blank">MVP honours</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Inevitable questions are being asked of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/what-happens-when-lionel-messi-leaves-mls-inter-miami-expect-multiple-global-superstars-2027/bltb7f91bd2ce28987f" target="_blank">what happens when the iconic South American packs his bags</a> and heads elsewhere. Who will become the face of MLS and can interest around the world be retained when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">Messi is no longer the star attraction</a>?</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Responding to that poser, former New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips - speaking to GOAL via <em>Lottoland</em>, <a href="https://www.lottoland.co.uk/sportsbook/football-betting " target="_blank">Football Betting</a> - said: “That is the thing with the way that America are doing it. 
</p><p>“They are getting a lot of big superstars when they are at the back end of their careers. They build a lot of publicity around those players, whoever they may be. At the minute the kingpin is obviously Messi, but [Sergio] Busquets is there as well, [Luis] Suarez, Jordi Alba, they have got a lot of big names over there now. 
</p><p>“But when they do retire, they do the same thing again - they look for the next batch of players at that age. For a time that does raise the standard and publicity around it, but it’s short lived. They need to find a longer fix and have a player of that calibre come to America and play his career there. They may have to create their own.”</p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfb660b9ce1aaf214/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Left)%20-%20X.png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfb660b9ce1aaf214/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Left)%20-%20X.png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfb660b9ce1aaf214/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Left)%20-%20X.png?format=jpg" alt="Shaun Wright-Phillips MLS fix" data-source="Getty Images" data-copyright="Getty/GOAL" data-portal-copyright="Getty/GOAL" perform:prop="uuid:bltfb660b9ce1aaf214;width:1080;height:1350"></picture>

WHAT SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS SAID

<p>Commissioner Garber <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-tickets-more-in-demand-any-nfl-team-prices-soar-over-3000-mls-inter-miami-debut-new-york/blt143c1331e86cd279" target="_blank">does not have to worry about Messi leaving</a> any time soon. The expectation is that a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/stars-aligning-lionel-messi-future-update-inter-miami-jorge-mas-contract-talks/blte2338e6f7b1967fe" target="_blank">12-month extension option in his contract for 2026 will be taken up</a>, meaning that long-term plans for the future do not need to be rushed through.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MLS & LIONEL MESSI?

MLS warned about a league without 'kingpin' Lionel Messi as ex-New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips makes 'longer fix' plea to Don Garber | Goal.com

Don Garber has been urged to consider a “longer fix” that will help MLS to thrive once Inter Miami “kingpin” Lionel Messi has left the United States.

MLS warned about a league without &apos;kingpin&apos; Lionel Messi as ex-New York Red Bulls winger Shaun Wright-Phillips makes &apos;longer fix&apos; plea to Don Garber

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