Messi urges MLS to lift spending restrictions for league growth

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami's star player and minority owner, has publicly called for Major League Soccer (MLS) to relax its strict salary cap and roster-building restrictions to foster greater growth and competitiveness. In a rare interview with NBC Nightly News, Messi argued that all MLS teams should have the freedom to sign any players without limitations, asserting that this would attract more high-profile talent and help advance soccer in the United States. This stance contrasts with the league's traditional focus on parity and financial controls, which MLS Commissioner Don Garber has long defended as beneficial. Messi's comments have resonated with fans accustomed to global soccer leagues where clubs spend freely to build powerful squads, highlighting a growing debate about MLS's future direction. Despite his desire for change, Messi remains committed to the league, having extended his contract through 2028 and expressing optimism about soccer's potential growth in the U.S., especially with the upcoming 2026 World Cup. His perspective underscores both his vested interest in MLS's success and the evolving conversation around how the league manages player acquisitions and competitiveness.