James Harden wants to tap into Lionel Messi's impact on MLS

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has created something of a stir in the United States.

So much so that it could almost without exaggeration be said that soccer has somewhat overshadowed the more popular American amateur sports such as baseball and American football.

Exaggeration or not, the Argentinean star is already making headlines in the American press, which daily reports on the achievements he is already making on the field and the expectation he is causing in people, including NBA stars such as James Harden.

The Sixers star has admitted to USA Today Sports that Messi‘s arrival in MLS could have a kind of knock-on effect so that other great players could become interested in playing in MLS.

Messi’s impact on MLS

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This would be similar to what is happening in the Saudi League after Cristiano Ronaldo‘s arrival last season at Al Nassr.

And the Philadelphia star, in particular, has a vested interest because he is a shareholder in Houston Dynamo FC.

“We will try to find someone to come to Houston. We all know how incredible Messi is. He is in Miami and this corresponds to the atmosphere he wants. We need someone like that to come to Houston and we will find him,” Harden said.

“MLS is growing with Messi,” he said. “It’s a big thing because in America we have never had recognition for footballers. We will see young players develop and it will be good for American soccer culture.”