MLS received a big setback after Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami side were knocked out of the race for playoffs. While fans were hoping that the player could turn things around for the team, an untimely injury to the Argentinian derailed the team’s momentum. With Miami out of the tournament, people have started questioning if MLS has what it takes to sell tickets without the presence of Lionel Messi.

Soccer journalist Sebastian Salazar believes that the MLS has no choice but to ‘milk’ Messi for all he’s worth. The league is sure to lose some of its charm following the Argentine’s departure, akin to what happened to Spanish top-flight La Liga. It will be interesting to see if the League Playoffs can attract the same attention in the absence of their biggest star.

Salazar compared MLS’ potential attention drop to La Liga after Lionel Messi left

There have been a lot of concerns surrounding the popularity of MLS following the departure of Lionel Messi. Pundits are already worried about how MLS is handling things after Inter Miami was knocked out early in the World Cup winner’s first season. However, ESPN host Sebastian Salazar believes the phenomenon is not surprising.

Talking on ESPN’s recap, Salazar noted that it’s guaranteed that fewer people will pay attention to the league following the Argentine’s exit. It happened with La Liga as well and it’s not something out of the blue.

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“I don’t know that there is going to be huge long-time significance. But right now when Lionel Messi is here, MLS has no chance and no choice but to milk this for all it’s worth. So I don’t think it’s going to be a bad thing that fewer people will be paying attention when Lionel Messi leaves. That’s just the reality. By the way, it happened to La Liga as well, it’s not unique to Major League Soccer. Like when this guy leaves, people don’t care as much.”

Earlier during the show, MLS legend Alejandro Moreno also touched down on the topic, believing MLS will have a hard time selling the tickets after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were knocked out of the tournament.

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Former LA Galaxy star worried about MLS’s draw power after Messi’s exit

Former LA Galaxy star Ale Moreno was also present on ESPN’s recap as the pundits touched down on the MLS Playoffs. Moreno who started and finished his career in the league, earlier during the show was asked how MLS can sell the playoff tickets in Messi’s absence.

Moreno admitted that the MLS has a tough job on their hands. “That is a question that goes beyond the playoffs. That is the burning hot topic I imagine at MLS headquarters and it goes into next season. How do we make people interested in a league where people are more interested in the circus coming to town, and what happens when the circus leaves town? I don’t think this is an easy answer.”

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It will be interesting to see the approach MLS decides to take heading into the playoffs. While the league surely lacks their biggest superstar, there’s nothing the league can do to bring him back for this season. Do you think MLS needs to change its model rather than rely on aging superstars for viewership and popularity? Let us know in the comments below.