Messi, an unstoppable attraction in the United States

Lionel Messi remains the biggest show in American sports. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, every match featuring the Argentine has turned into an event, with ticket prices skyrocketing and fans flocking to see him in action. The club is currently negotiating his contract renewal to extend his stay in MLS, although no deal has been finalized yet.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, now 38, plans to play in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, while long-term scenarios like club ownership are also being considered. Still, before even thinking about retirement, Messi’s impact in Miami has already become historic.

Masvidal imagines him in the Octagon

Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, a Florida resident, sparked headlines with a viral statement: he claimed Messi could have also thrived in mixed martial arts. “Messi is a phenomenal athlete, one of the most disciplined people to ever walk the earth. He’s in incredible shape, and with the God-given gifts he has, he could have achieved great things in MMA if he had pursued it,” Masvidal told BetIdeas.

Although he admitted that “fighting is fighting,” Masvidal insisted that Messi’s competitive mentality would have allowed him to go far even in a sport as demanding as the UFC.

Why Miami was the perfect destination

Masvidal also explained why Messi’s move to Miami made complete sense: “We already had a strong soccer wave here, and Messi only amplified it. In this city, parks are full of people playing all day long, so his signing was the ultimate confirmation that we’re the soccer capital of the U.S.”

For now, the Argentine legend will keep making history on the pitch, but the idea of him stepping into the Octagon—though impossible—has already captured the imagination of fans.