Conor McGregor’s manager gives his take on Lionel Messi’s MLS move

Lionel Messi has the power to attract a new, younger and bigger audience to MLS, according to the world of MMA.

With official confirmation of his blockbuster move to Inter Miami imminent, Messi’s name is on everyone’s lips.

Conor McGregor’s manager Audie Attar, who was at sport’s ESPY Awards on Wednesday night, believes the younger generation will develop greater interest in soccer Stateside thanks to Messi.

‘I was a big believer in MLS from the early days and I always said if you looked at America, if we had the same, not only program but also the major platform if you will, you start to see us excel not only in terms of the domestic game but even the World Cup scene,’ he exclusively told Mail Sport at the Hollywood event.

‘What this does, not only for the MLS, but what it does for our younger generation is they’re going to buy into the game a lot earlier. 

Lionel Messi’s name is on everyone’s lips ahead of his official move to MLS team Inter Miami

Conor McGregor’s manager Audie Attar, who was at sport’s ESPY Awards, gave his take

‘And now we not only have the club system and the D1, D2, D3 in the collegiate program and system, but now you should have also the academies, which is a traditional European style, the game and the way they’ve developed their talent from early days. 

‘We have that now too. So, I’m excited about where the sport of soccer’s going, and I think it’s a very bright future for the US, the MLS and the national team and Messi is going to help all of that.’

Miami has pulled off a massive coup in getting the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to the team and the World Cup winner is set to finally be unveiled as a Miami player on Sunday.

Messi declared his intention to move to the team last month after turning down the lucrative option of a move to Saudi Arabia and seeing a Barcelona return become unfeasible financially.

The Argentine landed in Miami on Tuesday with MLS fans salivating at the prospect of the star lighting up the league in a matter of weeks.

Former MMA fighter Chuck Liddell agreed with Attar, insisting that superstar Messi can ‘make fans for life’.

‘It just brings more eyes to it,’ he said in Los Angeles Wednesday.

‘Guys like him get people that aren’t, aren’t yet interested in soccer to come check it out. 

‘You get a guy like Messi to bring in the casual fans, the guys and they’re trying to make into real fans. 

Former MMA fighter Chuck Liddell insisted that superstar Messi can ‘make fans for life’

‘People want to see great fights; people want to see great legendary athletes. Getting someone like Messi is a chance to make fans for life.’

Messi, who won four Champions League titles with Barcelona and scored 672 goals in 778 games for the club, is believed to have been offered a $60million-a-year contract by Miami that includes new deals with adidas and Apple. 

The Argentina World Cup winner will bank money from adidas shirt sales and Apple MLS subscriptions.

Messi is expected to make his debut on July 21, when struggling Miami takes on Mexican outfit Cruz Azul in cup action.