It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens to the MLS if Messi does leave. 

My controversial take is that it would be very good for the league

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I don’t think he’s necessarily bad for the league. He’s obviously one of the great ever play the game. So people will follow whichever league he’s on playing in. But the day he leaves all those people will leave and go to whatever league he’s moves to. 

I’d rather see the league grow naturally through a passion for the team.

Understood. I went to the Miami games before he arrived. Miami has a very strong team at the local level, a big Latino city who loved their team anyway. Even the USL team is popular. 

At a national/global level he is like top of the funnel, showing people MLS is quality who otherwise wouldn’t have tuned in. Will be interesting to see what retention is, for fans and sponsors.