Big Moves That Are Shaping American Soccer Right Now

November 3, 2025

A Star Stays — Lionel Messi Extends His U.S. Chapter

When one of the greatest players in history commits long-term to a league, it doesn’t just make headlines—it signals a shift. Lionel Messi, who is happy on Miami, has signed an extension with Inter Miami CF that keeps him in Major League Soccer (MLS) through at least the 2028 season. “The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentine superstar was previously under contract through the 2025 season.”

As reported on MLSsoccer.com “When Lionel Messi made MLS his League of Choice, it marked a turning point – not just for Inter Miami, but for our entire sport in North America,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

To put this soccer news in perspective: MLS Growth

Messi joined Miami in July 2023, at a time when MLS was still very much building its global brand. Now, with this commitment, he will be in South Florida as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico gear up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s not just about goals (though he still scored 29 this season) — it’s about what his presence means: credibility, spotlight, growth.

Remember when David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 and started the trend of famous players from across the Atlantic coming over to our side to play?

Messi’s staying sends a clear signal to players, coaches, sponsors and young talents: the MLS is serious. Messi staying and playing for the MLS tells youth players that global recognition can happen here, that global stars play here. This also tells the business side of soccer that investing in icons can shift entire markets.

Money Talks — MLS Ushers in a New Era of Spending

While Messi’s deal turns heads at the top, the rest of the league is quietly breaking records.

In 2025, MLS clubs spent approximately $336 million on incoming transfers — nearly double the previous record of around $188 million in 2024. Now, MLS clubs shatter those records.

Let’s unpack that:

That figure makes MLS the eighth-highest spending league in the world this year.
The US has become a real player in the global football transfer market.
The newsmakers?
- LAFC’s reported $26.5 million deal for South Korea star Son Heung-Min from EPL’s Tottenham Hotspur.
- Atlanta United’s acquisition of Emmanuel Latte Lath for $22 million.
- FC Cincinnati’s move for Kévin Denkey at $16.3 million.
- Colorado Rapids signing Paxten Aaronson from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported $8 million.
International signings surged: 169 players from 50 countries, averaging just 25.2 years old. Brazil’s top dvision has lost 11 players according to ESPN. Other countries including Argentina, England and Portugal also have players coming over to this side of the Atlantic to play ball.

This isn’t just “spending money” — it’s positioning.

These actions by the MLS say loudly to the world, “We’re serious about global competitiveness.” And for youth soccer academies, this hopefully means the bar for player development is rising.

The Facts From MLS:

From Aug 28, 2025 MLS release: Year over year, MLS clubs combined for a 75% increase in transfer spending:

2025 – $336 million (approximate)
2024 – $188 million
2023 – $172 million
2022 – $163 million
2021 – $170 million
2020 – $145 million
2019 – $103 million

Why It Matters for Youth Players and Academies

Inspiration meets reality: With Messi in MLS long-term, and clubs spending big, young American players see a pathway that blends local development with global opportunity.
Competition for attention — and soccer talent: As clubs spend more, the challenge for youth soccer players is to stand out not just in US leagues but in a global marketplace.
Balance between money and culture: Money can buy elite talent, but the stories worth telling and repeating — the ones that build long-term success and fans filling seats — come from development and identity.
- Roots, development, remembering pathways all adds up to strong commitment from fans, players and coaches alike.

A Bit of Historical Trivia: American Money Talks Fast

MLS launched in 1996 with relatively modest budgets and a focus on building domestic credibility. A fun fact few know: MASL (indoor/arena soccer) paid its players more. Fast-forward almost 30 years and the MLS has earned a place alongside the legacies of the top European leagues in spending.
Messi’s arrival in the U.S. resembles earlier “big fish in a small pond” moments but, today having a superstar play in the MLS is less about the novelty of a famous player “retiring in the MLS” and more about permanence and the growing quality of the league.
- MLS was once considered a “graveyard” for older European superstars (back when David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007). Fans thought top players might come to the U.S. at the end of their careers for big money and a less competitive soccer environment. Less than twenty years later, this is in the rearview mirror.
In 2025, the $336 million number might not match the hundreds of millions of euros flowing in Europe’s top leagues — yet for MLS’s evolution, this is a major inflection point.