Lionel Messi: MLS 'has every opportunity' to catch up with European football before 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi believes MLS could soon catch up with European football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The US, Canada and Mexico will jointly hold the World Cup in three years time, giving each of the countries automatic qualification to the tournament, which will likely cause a spike in interest in soccer in the US, and MLS in turn.

On Thursday, Messi gave his first interview since moving to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain, and he was confident that American soccer could meet the expectations of matching European clubs.

"I think it has every opportunity to do so," Messi said to ESPN. "That growth depends a lot on the league. It's an ideal moment to grow. There are important competitions upcoming that will be played in this country [2024 Copa America, 2026 FIFA World Cup].

"It's time for the league to make that leap and finish growing, finish looking for what it's been seeking for a while. Everything is in place here to witness top-level football because of the country, the structure, a bunch of things."

The 36-year-old has nine goals in six appearances for Inter Miami after a string of cup appearances, and the club are now in the Leagues Cup final.

"I think that soccer in the US has grown a lot in this last year," Messi continued. "It has shown that in the results the USMNT have had lately. It was a great squad in the World Cup, too. Very competitive. It held its own against every team it had on its slate. It's getting closer and closer to the level of Mexican soccer.

"This Leagues Cup demonstrated that. There is no Mexican team in the final. While you can question a lot of things, the reality is all the matches were very close, very competitive. Anybody can beat anyone else. I get the sense that the same happens in [MLS]. It's a competitive one where anybody can win. One where the home team is strong, and it's difficult to win away. I'll still be getting to know a little bit of that after my first match."

Discussing the chance of winning the Leagues Cup, he said: "It would be incredible for the fans, for the club itself.

"While it's been a great surprise that we're about to play a final for people who don't see us train every day, we have prepared for this. To compete and go for this title, because we know we're capable.

"The team has grown greatly, especially since [coach Gerardo Martino's] arrival, and we're happy to have met our first goal, which is CONCACAF Champions Cup qualifying. Now, we can play a final."

Messi gave more details on his decision to make the move away from PSG, after he was linked with the chance to stay in France, potentially rejoin Barcelona, or move to the Saudi Pro League along with many big-name players.

"My decision was based on a lot of things," Messi said. "We thought about it a lot and decided with my family. I came here so I could continue to enjoy soccer, it's what I've enjoyed all my life, and I chose that place for that reason more than anything.

"I can say I'm very happy, not just because of the results on the pitch but because of my family, how we go about our everyday life. We are enjoying the city and the welcome from fans, which has been extraordinary since the first day. Not just in Miami but the US in general. We got to go to Dallas as a visiting team, and the treatment toward me was spectacular. So, I'm grateful for this moment.

"Me going to PSG was neither planned, nor desired. I did not want to leave Barcelona."

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