Major League Soccer has experienced exponential growth since the arrival of major stars who did not come to the league merely to live out their final years as professionals, but also contributed greatly to the evolution of football in the United States.
More and more young talents are arriving, players who have found enormous development opportunities in the American league. In the past, it was often considered a graveyard for great players who had spent their best years in Europe and were only seeking a golden retirement in MLS.
Now all of that has changed. With Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami, everything shifted dramatically. People, and especially fans, now feel they have a league full of talent and passion. All of it has been generated thanks to the Argentine superstar.
His mere presence has motivated fellow professionals as the North American World Cup approaches, a tournament expected to electrify the summer. MLS is now being watched from all corners of the globe, and that exposure could give several players the chance to catch the eye of their national team coaches.
Ryan Porteous believes he can earn a call-up to the Scotland squad for the 2026 World Cup
One player who believes he has strong chances of being considered for his national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup is Scottish defender Ryan Porteous, who currently plays in MLS.
Now that the league is viewed worldwide through streaming services that allow fans to watch from any corner of the planet using a phone, tablet, or computer, he feels he has that opportunity.
Porteous previously played for Watford before joining Los Angeles FC, and at 26 years old he believes he has the talent and level required to be considered for his country’s squad.
I think I’ll be used to the heat.”…”I know Scotland have a fantastic set-up and the team managers that run the group will have them well-prepared. But yes, the heat is intense and playing against the South American lads a lot as well could play into my favour. You’re able to bring out your A-game because you know you’re going to be playing against top players. I was playing against Chucky Lozano, Miguel Almiron, Thomas Muller, and will be coming up against [Lionel] Messi and [Luis] Suarez soon.
The European told Sky Sports, and he added:
It’s not as if it’s the stereotype of the league four or five years ago. These are world-class players that can still play. We’ve got Heung-Min Son, who at 32 years old could just be coming into the peak of his career. The standard and the levels of the games are extremely intense. These players have done everything in the game. To have a goalkeeper like Hugo Lloris behind you too, someone who has won the World Cup, is fantastic. You always want to learn off of these people. The most impressive thing has been how good they are as people off the park. These are world-class players.
The defender has appeared in thirteen matches for his national team under coach Steve Clarke, who has held the position since 2019.
The gaffer switched to a back four [in World Cup qualifying] and again, he’s found ways to win games and qualify.”…”He never takes the credit for it as well. He always gives it to the players, but I think it’s about time someone gives him a little bit of credit as well.
Now he hopes to be considered for the World Cup, believing that facing Messi provides greater international exposure.