Messi is the level best for the MLS

LIONEL MESSI has been hailed for taking Major League Soccer to a whole new level.

- BY JOSHUA PECK

HUGE IMPACT Lionel Messi

The Argentinian superstar scored twice as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 in the opening game of their best-of-three playoff first round.

That underlined to MLS commissioner Don Garber just how big an impact Messi, 38, has made since he headed to Florida from PSG in 2023.

Inter already knew, of course, signing him on a new three-year deal this week after he won the MLS Golden Boot as top scorer in the regular season with 29 goals.