Messi’s Magic and the Murky Future of the Leagues Cup: MLS Still Searching for Its Moment
At times, it still feels like a fever dream.
Back in the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi stood poised over a free kick, donning the pink-and-white jersey of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). For years, Messi's move to the United States had been written off as fantasy. MLS was still viewed as a second-tier league, far behind Europe’s elite, with clubs lacking the financial firepower to land a living legend like him.
But somehow, MLS moved mountains to make it happen. And there he was — the greatest of all time — playing in front of Hollywood stars, roaring crowds, and millions watching across the globe. Late into the match against Liga MX side Cruz Azul, Messi curled a free kick with that iconic left foot, and in one breathtaking moment, took everyone back to his glory days at Barcelona.
That goal didn’t just win the match — it launched Inter Miami toward a Leagues Cup title and reshaped the global perception of MLS overnight.
To this day, that free kick is one of the most iconic goals in league history, currently ranking fourth-most viewed on MLS’ YouTube, trailing only Zlatan Ibrahimović’s jaw-dropping debut goal, Wayne Rooney’s miracle play, and David Beckham’s Olimpico. It felt like a turning point — not just for MLS, but for the Leagues Cup, a tournament many had never even heard of before that moment.
The Leagues Cup, a mid-season clash between MLS and Liga MX, was supposed to capitalize on the simmering rivalry between Mexican and American clubs and appeal to the massive Hispanic market in the U.S.
Now, heading into its third edition, the big question looms: Does anyone actually care?
When Messi missed last year’s tournament due to injury, the illusion cracked. The tournament’s core issues were suddenly exposed: it’s played entirely in the United States, leading to accusations of unfair home-field advantage, sparse crowds, and a fading sense of rivalry that now only comes alive during marquee club clashes or national team face-offs.
To their credit, MLS and Liga MX have made changes. They’ve adjusted the format to ensure early inter-league matchups, eliminated draws, and limited participation to truly competitive teams. There’s real prize money on the line (reportedly around $2 million for the winner), and the stakes include spots in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the gateway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Another smart tweak: MLS no longer pauses its entire schedule for the tournament. That means clubs knocked out early can resume regular season play, and uninterested fans can stay locked into their local team’s campaign.
But while the Leagues Cup evolves, so does the landscape it lives in. The U.S. remains global football’s financial goldmine — a massive market with insatiable fans and wallets to match. For years, international clubs and entire tournaments have flocked to America to cash in and boost brand exposure.
That trend hit new heights with the 2025 Club World Cup hosted on U.S. soil — a spectacle that blended excitement with blatant commercialism. By the time Chelsea lifted the trophy alongside Donald Trump, many fans had already checked out.
Three MLS clubs took part, stepping away from their regular season to battle top global sides. It’s the same pitch MLS makes for the Leagues Cup: that it’s a chance for its teams to go toe-to-toe with Mexico’s elite, historically seen as the region’s best.
Yet MLS faces a familiar problem — one it can’t seem to shake. Nearly every new move it makes is instantly branded a gimmick by hardcore fans and global purists. The league’s constant reinvention often gets labeled as synthetic or a money grab, and the Leagues Cup is no exception.
This criticism hits harder when you consider the decline of the U.S. Open Cup, the country’s oldest and most authentic soccer competition. While the Leagues Cup soaks up marketing and resources, the Open Cup fades into obscurity — despite having the unique ability to touch nearly every soccer-loving city in the nation.
Still, it’s too early to call the Leagues Cup a failure. With its third edition on the horizon, a better judgment will come closer to the decade’s end, after it’s had a real chance to mature — and once the men’s and women’s World Cups wrap up. Until then, MLS and Liga MX will keep tinkering, hoping to transform it into something American fans truly embrace.
That’s the MLS way. Even after 30 years, the league is still a work in progress — constantly adjusting, experimenting, and chasing its moment in the global spotlight. In some ways, it’s already made it.
Now the real test is whether it can do the same for the Leagues Cup.