Inter Miami News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

Lionel Messi Pressures MLS To Scrap Salary Cap Rule

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 11:58 AM ET

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami and the MLS is arguably seen as the biggest move the league has ever made. The Argentine is considered one of the greatest players of all time, and his arrival sparked interest in the MLS.

Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and he recently signed a contract extension for three more years with the Herons. With Messi staying in the MLS for a couple of more years, the Argentine and many believe the league will continue to grow.

In an interview with NBC News, Messi was asked about the development of soccer in the United States and what is needed for the MLS to improve.

One of Messi's suggestions is for MLS clubs to have more freedom in signing players, suggesting that the salary cap should be removed.

In the MLS, each team is only allowed three designated players in the squad, who are players whose salary exceeds the league's salary budget cap. Messi is one of those players, and he is one of three designated players at Inter Miami.

Messi said, "As for the development of soccer in the United States, I see it as possible, but major changes are necessary for teams to continue growing. However, there is a very strong foundation — the clubs are ready and genuinely want to achieve this growth, and I believe the time is right for it now."

Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi poses with the MLS golden boot ahead of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff football match between Inter Miami and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 24, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Messi continues to describe how, by saying, "For this development to begin, every team must have the freedom to bring in the players they want and sign them without restrictions or regulations limiting that. Today, all the teams and clubs in the United States have the resources and capability to do so, and I believe that if they were given this freedom, many great players would come, which would greatly help in the development of soccer in America."

Lionel Messi on Inter Miami's brand

Inter Miami has benefited a lot from Messi joining the club in 2023, both financially and on the pitch.

The club is one of the most well-known MLS clubs in the world because of Messi, and it is one of the youngest clubs in the league. Messi acknowledges the growth of Inter Miami and is happy with the results since he joined.

Messi says, "Today, the Inter Miami brand has become very strong, not only in the United States but also on a global level. I believe the club has undergone a significant transformation and has grown in every aspect: athletically, institutionally, and organizationally. And I think there is even more room for it to continue growing and improving in all aspects."

Inter Miami may continue to follow their plan on bringing more notable players to the squad next year, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets retiring at the end of the 2025 MLS playoffs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: