Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has challenged Major League Soccer to relax its rules on spending in pursuit of wider growth across the league.
Salary caps and unique regulations in terms of squad building have long sparked confusion among non-U.S. audiences despite the positive intentions behind the rules, which are designed to encourage parity across the competition—a clear difference compared to the biggest soccer leagues in Europe and elsewhere.
Key league officials, including commissioner Don Garber, have publicly supported MLS’ financial regulations, but Messi believes the league will only reach its true potential if those spending restrictions are softened.
“Well, for starters, every team should have the opportunity to bring in players and sign whoever each team wants—without limitations or rules for players to bring them in,” Messi told when asked how he would change MLS.
“I don’t think that today all teams in the United States, all clubs, have the power to do that, and I think that if they were given the freedom, many more important players would come and help the growth of the United States.”
