Lionel Messi, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has never been to the United States to play a professional match.
The Argentine superstar has always been a key player in the Spanish La Liga, for FC Barcelona, which means the United States has never been on the agenda for Messi’s travels. In fact, the only times he has been to the U.S. have been for commercial purposes.
Messi’s only competitive match in the United States came in the International Champions Cup tournament in 2017, when Barcelona faced Juventus in East Rutherford, NJ. Messi did not start that match, however, and only played a few minutes as a substitute.
In 2018, Messi was a member of Argentina’s national team that faced Venezuela in a friendly match in Madrid, Spain. The match was organized as part of Copa America Centenario, which was organized by the United States Soccer Federation.
The only appearance of Messi in the United States will most likely remain that one, with his club career expected to be limited to European clubs. Barcelona are currently in the midst of a successful season and Messi has been a key part of the team’s success.
Messi’s History In America: He’s Never Played Here
Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has never played in the USA. Despite being one of the most famous athletes in the world and being the recipient of numerous awards and honors, Messi has never had the opportunity to take the field in the United States.
Messi has spent his entire career playing in Europe for Barcelona, where he has broken countless records and inspired millions of fans to take up the sport. His achievements include winning six Ballon d’Or awards, an Olympic gold medal, and numerous other accolades.
So why has Messi never played in the US? The main reason is that he has been tied to the Spanish club since a very young age. He signed with Barcelona as a teenager and has played with them ever since. He is one of the most iconic players in Barcelona’s history and his loyalty to the club has been unwavering.
Another reason is that the US has lacked the appropriate soccer infrastructure for Messi to play in. While the MLS has grown in recent years, it still does not have the same level of competition as the top European leagues. Therefore, it has been difficult for Messi to find a team in the US that is able to compete at the same level.
Finally, Messi is also one of the most sought-after athletes in the world. His salary demands are significantly higher than any team in the MLS could possibly afford. As a result, it is unlikely that any team in the US would be able to sign him and convince him to play in the US.
While it is disappointing that Messi has never had the opportunity to play in the US, it is clear that the conditions needed for him to do so just have not been in place. Perhaps in the future, with the continued growth of the MLS, there may be a chance for Messi to take the field in the United States.
The Story Of Lionel Messi And US Soccer: A Strangely Limited Relationship
Lionel Messi has been one of the best soccer players in the world for years. He’s won the Ballon d’Or five times, a record only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo. With his incredible skill and success, soccer fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting his arrival in the US. But, his relationship with US Soccer has been surprisingly limited.
Despite his success elsewhere, Messi has yet to make an appearance in Major League Soccer. He has never suited up for a US club, and he has only played one match in the US, a friendly between Argentina and Brazil in Miami in 2017. The match was broadcast in the US, and Messi put on a show, scoring two goals to lead Argentina to a 2-0 win.
The lack of Messi’s presence in the US is due to a number of factors. For one, Messi has always been loyal to his boyhood club, Barcelona. He has been with Barcelona since he was 13 and has no plans of leaving anytime soon. Additionally, US Soccer has always been more focused on developing homegrown talent rather than signing big-name stars. As a result, Messi has never been a priority for US clubs.
The other factor has to do with finances. Messi is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and signing him would be incredibly expensive for any US club. It’s also uncertain whether his style of play would fit in the American game.
The table below gives the details of Lionel Messi’s appearances in the US.
Year | Competition | Venue |
---|---|---|
2017 | Friendly | Miami, Florida |
It’s unclear whether Lionel Messi will ever play in the US. He is now 32 and his best years are likely behind him. US Soccer is also in a period of transition, as the US Men’s National Team is rebuilding after a disappointing 2018 World Cup. It’s unlikely that the US is going to make a big splash in the transfer market anytime soon.
In the end, the world may never see Lionel Messi play in the US. But, for fans of the game, the prospect of seeing one of the greatest players of all time play on US soil is something that will never be forgotten.
No, Messi has never played in the US.
Yes, Messi has visited the US several times.
Messi has never played against any US teams in the US.
Messi’s last visit to the US was in 2018.
There are no current plans for Messi to play in the US.
Messi was trained by his local team, Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.
Messi did not play for any team during his US visit in 2018.
No, Messi has never won a title in the US.
No, Messi has never scored a goal in the US.
Messi has not received any awards in the US.