MLS Makes Lionel Messi Announcement During FIFA Club World Cup

IMCF got a 0-0 draw in its first Club World Cup group stage match against Al Ahly on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi hit the crossbar late on, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was the man of the match for his heroics in the shutout performance.

While the Herons prepared for their second match against FC Porto, MLS made an announcement on Wednesday confirming Messi's place as the most popular player in the league. So far in 2025, Messi has the top-selling jersey in MLS.

His Inter Miami co-star Luis Suarez came in at No. 2, while their teammates Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi also cracked the top 25.

"The streets are talking… and they’re wearing pink," Inter Miami wrote in a caption while sharing the news from its official Instagram account.

Columbus Crew was the only other team with multiple players in the top 10. Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe was the highest-ranking American player on the list. 

He was joined by current United States Men's National Team striker Patrick Agyemang and Seattle's Jordan Morris as the only Americans in the top 10.

Messi and Suarez also ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in MLS jersey sales at the end of the 2024 season. Messi had already climbed to the top spot by the end his debut season in 2023.