Lionel Messi has spoken loud and clear about the future of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Inter Miami star has publicly called for a deep reform of the league’s transfer and salary rules, convinced that the current restrictions are holding back MLS’s growth and preventing more world-class talent from arriving in the United States.

Messi Calls for Full Freedom to Sign Players

In an interview with NBC, the Argentine superstar emphasized that MLS needs to “take the next step” if it truly wants to compete with the world’s top leagues:

“Every team should have the chance to sign whoever they want, without limits or rules that stop them from bringing in talent. Not every club in the U.S. has that power right now, and if they did, many more great players would come and help the league grow.”

Messi’s remarks point directly at the league’s complex salary and roster structure, which enforces strict spending caps and player limits. While the model has kept clubs financially stable, it has also been criticized for slowing the arrival of global stars and widening the gap between MLS and European football.

The Origin of the System: The “Beckham Rule”

The foundation of MLS’s current model lies in the Designated Player Rule, introduced in 2007 to allow David Beckham to join LA Galaxy. The rule enables each team to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the league’s budget cap, without breaking overall financial control.

Thanks to this rule, MLS attracted major names like Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Kaká, Robbie Keane, and, more recently, Messi himself. Over time, variations like the Young Designated Player and U22 Initiative Slots were created to increase flexibility and attract younger international prospects.

However, Messi believes this framework has become outdated for a league with ambitions of being among the best in the world.

A Call for Structural Change

Since his arrival in 2023, Messi has witnessed firsthand how the presence of global stars can revolutionize MLS — boosting audience numbers, sponsorships, and worldwide visibility. But according to him, the next step requires more freedom in how clubs spend and recruit.

“If teams were given more freedom, soccer in the U.S. would grow even more. A lot of players would want to come,” the World Cup champion added.

His stance aligns with several franchise owners, including David Beckham, who has also pushed for modernization of the system.

Messi’s Message: A Warning for the Future

As MLS prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Messi’s words sound like both a warning and a roadmap. If the league wants to compete with Europe or Saudi Arabia in talent and global appeal, it must open its doors to a freer market.

More than just a player, Lionel Messi has become the voice of reform — and his message could define the next era of soccer in North America.