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'Not Healthy' – Lionel Messi Urged to Quit MLS Immediately

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 3:30 PM ET

Former Manchester City defender Terry Phelan has a message for Lionel Messi: if you want to lead Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, it’s time to get out of Major League Soccer.

Phelan, who’s been around the US soccer scene for years, says the league isn’t tough enough to keep a player like Messi sharp, and sticking around could hurt his chances of staying at the top.

In an interview with Goal, Phelan didn’t mince his words. He called MLS “too easy” for Messi and said watching him play here feels like watching someone playing on PlayStation.

« With Messi, if he really wants to get that appetite, I think he needs to go somewhere that he’s going to get better competition for himself, » Phelan said. « It’s not healthy. »

The message is loud and clear, Messi needs to be pushed harder if he wants to be at his best in two years.

While comfort and stardom in Miami may be fun, they will not be enough to prepare him for the level of intensity and competition he will face when defending Argentina’s world title.

Phelan says MLS isn’t the right prep for the World Cup

Messi’s arrival in the US has been a game-changer for MLS. He’s selling out stadiums, boosting TV ratings and helping Inter Miami climb the ladder.

But while the league is growing, Phelan thinks it still falls short when it comes to keeping elite players like Messi battle-ready.

The goals and assists might look good on paper, but Phelan argues that the real test comes from playing against top-tier opponents week in and week out, something he doesn’t think Messi is getting in the US.

When the next World Cup starts, Messi will be almost 39. He needs every advantage possible.

Phelan says staying in MLS could cost him that. He even suggested a move to a more demanding league, maybe back to Europe or possibly Saudi Arabia, where the pace is faster and the competition is stiffer.

Lionel Messi has not said much about what comes after Miami. His contract will run out in 2025 with an option to extend.

For now he seems happy, with sun, goals, and family. But if he wants to lead Argentina one last time on the biggest stage, Phelan’s advice might be worth listening to.

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

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