Jump To:Play our FREE World Cup predictor game HERE and win �1kCopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLionel Messis match-winning displays for Argentina can only benefit MLS, according to former defender Greg Garza.Messi has been the star man for Argentina as they look to defend their title from four years ago and Garza says that any young fans watching the global superstar and then discovering he plays his club football in America for Inter Miami can only help the growth of MLS.Messi is one of 45 active MLS players who were selected to play at this World Cup and that number is impressive in itself as the league celebrates its 30th year.Play our FREE World Cup predictor game HERE and win �1kMessi has played a pivotal role in helping Argentina reach the last 16 of the World Cup, scoring seven goals so far - and he is now also the World Cups all time leading goalscorer with 20 goals.Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, Garza said: Lionel Messi representing MLS and also playing for the Argentinian national team in the World Cup is unbelievable. 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How to watch Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Lionel Messi makes World Cup history in sensational one-man display I think if you are a young boy you could have never fathomed the idea of watching YouTube for the very first time and thinking that that guy would ever be in this league and representing this crest and this badge within a World Cup.Way down to the 45th player is still an incredible opportunity for these guys to be in that position to represent their club, country, and community, and I think that's the coolest part as well from the fan base is to see them.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.To see these players that you watch week in, week out, come to a realization that you're going to be watching them on the big screen, representing their country and you're going to come to a realization that they are playing on the biggest stage.The MLS was born in 1996 - two years after the USA 94 World Cup - so with another tournament being co-hosted in North America, what can the benefits to MLS be from this tournament?Garza, who played for Atlanta United and Cincinnati, added: The continuation of growth within this country of what this sport can bring. I think the biggest goal for all of us is just the eyeballs that are on the platform of what soccer is in this country today, and I think the World Cup will continue to create that kind of fever and by creating more eyeballs to watch this league once the World Cup ends. What to read next With Lionel Messi, Argentina will be a major contender again for this World Cup. He knows better than anyone what the team needs Javier Zanetti assesses Argentinas chances this summer Lionel Messi has been fundamental to footballs growth in the US. Hes a benchmark for the opponents in MLS, as they discover what it means to truly compete Mauricio Pochettino on how Messi is raising the standard stateside Lionel Messi may be undisputed greatest of all time after breaking World Cup record - but that's besides the point And, we are already there. If we go through statistics and we go through the numbers, we are one of the most watched leagues in the world at the moment, which is pretty awesome.MLS is one of the most diverse leagues in the whole entire world. We have over 80 countries that represent this league in itself.So just the opportunities that I think, that this league has created for so many people to watch from around the world, has, has really created substantial growth over the past three decades. So it's just the continuity of the growth.You look at it in terms of the players that are playing in MLS, the marketing that has done so well in growing this league, the promises that were made by Don Garber way back when in terms of getting another World Cup in this country, and by that time, where the league would be.I'm sure a lot of people probably would have said: No, you're crazy. It's not going to happen, but now you can just look at it and just say we told you so.TOPICSLionel MessiInter MiamiArgentinaMLSWorld Cup 2026James AndrewSocial Links NavigationEditorJames Andrew is the editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing both the magazine and website. James is an NCTJ qualified journalist and began his career as a news reporter in regional newspapers in 2006 before moving into sport a year later. In 2011 he started a six year stint on the sports desk at the Daily Mail and MailOnline. James was appointed editor of FourFourTwo in December 2019. Across his career James has interviewed the likes of Franco Baresi, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham and Michael Owen. James has been a Fulham season ticket holder since the mid-1990s and enjoys watching them home and away, through promotion and relegation.
