James Harden has predicted Lionel Messi to change US soccer culture for the better after the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner signed for Inter Miami this summer.
Speaking to Marca, the NBA superstar revealed that the Argentine icon will transform the landscape of the sport in America given his quality as well as Messi’s worldwide fame.
The South American forward has been sensational in his first two games for Inter Miami, with Messi scoring a last-minute winner on his debut before scoring a brace in the follow-up match against Atlanta United.
As a result, Inter Miami have already established themselves as the most popular club in MLS on social media, with a number of famous faces already been spotted at the DRV PNK Stadium.
And Harden, a shareholder in the Houston Dynamo, believes Messi can take soccer to a new level, with the Inter Miami star already set to shatter records and take MLS to a place few would have expected some years ago.
Harden said: “MLS is growing with Messi. It’s a big thing because in America we have never had recognition for footballers. We will see young players develop and it will be good for American soccer culture.”
Harden’s support of Messi will go far in promoting MLS
The stars have come out to shine since Messi’s move to Inter Miami, with DJ Khalid and Kim Kardashian just a selection of the big names who have come out to show their support for MLS since the blockbuster transfer.
And Harden’s comments will go far in promoting MLS as a league and getting the sport of soccer amongst the top played pastimes in America, with the trend already going up in a positive direction.
Messi’s arrival will see soccer again receive a boost in public interest, and it’s now up to MLS to make the product as good as it can be with attention at an all-time high for the top-flight league.