Garber says MLS is still chasing its next Beckham and Messi moment
NEW YORK, NY — Outgoing Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber says he would love to see Harry Kane finish his career in MLS and even pursue his long-discussed dream of becoming an NFL kicker.
Garber argued that the league’s rise from near-collapse in the early 2000s to a destination for global stars has made that kind of move realistic. He pointed to the impact of David Beckham, whose 2007 arrival at LA Galaxy helped change how the league was viewed, and Lionel Messi, whose presence at Inter Miami has pushed MLS further into the global spotlight.
Beckham, Messi and the credibility MLS has built
Garber said Beckham’s decision to come to MLS at the height of his profile gave the competition legitimacy and helped attract other major names, including Thierry Henry and later Messi.
He credited Messi with taking that progress to another level, saying the Argentina captain has made MLS harder to ignore around the world. Garber also pointed to the way Messi’s life in South Florida has become part of the league’s appeal, with family, academy soccer and club infrastructure all tied into Inter Miami’s growth.
Messi’s influence still shapes the league’s image
Messi is due back in Miami for Sunday’s match against D.C. United after what was billed as his final home appearance for Argentina in Buenos Aires earlier in the week.
Garber said he was moved by the farewell atmosphere at Estadio Monumental, describing Messi as an elite athlete who has earned extraordinary devotion because of his humility and competitiveness. He said the chance for children in MLS cities to watch a living legend is one of the league’s great advantages.
MLS wants more stars and more staying power
Garber said MLS still needs to get stronger if it wants to be taken seriously against the biggest clubs in Europe and elsewhere. He said the league must become more competitive and prove it can do more than simply participate in the Club World Cup.
He also suggested MLS wants to be a place where players are tempted to stay longer, not just a stopover. That is part of why he hopes a player like Kane could one day choose the league, even as the England striker is expected to extend with Bayern Munich soon.
American prospects are rising alongside the league
Garber said he is encouraged by the next wave of American talent, especially after the United States men’s team’s recent friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. He mentioned teenagers Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Justin Ellis and Mathis Albert as examples of how much younger players are now entering the picture.
Sullivan, a 17-year-old attacker with the Philadelphia Union, is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18. Hall, 18, scored three times in the international window, while FC Dallas attacker Benji Flowers is also drawing attention from Chelsea.
Garber rejects a world league but backs global ambition
Garber said he does not support the idea of a closed world league that would pull clubs away from their home competitions. He argued that local identity and generational support are central to soccer’s appeal, and that promotion and relegation is not the only model that can produce growth.
He pointed to MLS expansion, new stadiums and major investment as signs the league has built a stable platform. Looking back on his 27 years in charge, Garber said he has gone from being treated as an outsider to sitting at the head table in European soccer circles.
What comes next for MLS after Garber
Garber’s successor, Larry Berg, will inherit a league that has become far more visible than the one Garber took over in 1999. The next test is whether MLS can keep attracting elite names while producing enough top American players to stay competitive internationally.
For Garber, the formula is clear: keep building the league’s profile, keep improving the soccer, and keep convincing stars that MLS can be more than a late-career destination. In his view, that is how the league keeps its momentum going beyond Messi.
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