While Pelé dismissed him, Neymar’s praise to Messi that turns the world

Lionel Messi's potential move to Inter Miami in the MLS would be even more significant for US soccer than Pele playing for the New York Cosmos. MLS has long been considered a likely end-of-career destination for Messi, but the intensity of such links has ramped up considerably in recent days, with media reports suggesting David Beckham-backed Inter are increasingly confident.

Beckham was of course seen as something of a pioneer when he made the switch to LA Galaxy in 2007, and stars such as Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Didier Drogba all followed over the next decade. But before MLS, the North American Soccer League (NASL) had served a similar purpose for ageing superstars in the 1970s and 80s.

More related stories:

The European giant who enters the fight for Lionel Messi and surprises everyone

PSG broke a promise with Mbappe, these players were to replace Messi and Neymar

Brazil legend Pele was the trendsetter back then when he joined the Cosmos – Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Gerd Muller, Eusebio, Bobby Moore and George Best all went on to feature in the NASL before it collapsed after the 1984 season. For all the history US soccer has with the biggest names in the sport, nothing that has gone before could compare with the impact Messi's arrival would have.

Messi to MLS would be unlike anything anyone's ever seen, including Pele, just because of the way the media is. It would be incredible. The fans that he attracts, the global respect, how good he has been. Although Messi's PSG contract expires next year, Inter should not expect a free run at the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi vs Pele

PSG are still reportedly confident of securing a contract extension, while officials from Messi's former club Barcelona have spoken openly about their desire to bring him back to Camp Nou. The little man has 1,127 goal involvements in his career, which is more than the great Pele, who had 1,126 goal involvements.