Roughly 18 months have passed since Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi. In that time, the long-standing accusation that MLS and its owners have been too timid in their approach to growth has only grown louder.
Some have accused MLS of wasting Messi’s time in the league by failing to push through sweeping changes. They’ve taken umbrage with the league’s perceived hesitance to increase spending to add better players and improve the on-field product. However, as the 2025 primary transfer window has progressed, teams across the league, including those with a reputation for stodginess, have been unusually active in the market both outside and inside MLS.
This active winter has been the culmination of a series of changes, some made since Messi’s arrival and some a product of the league’s dramatic decade-long drive to improve itself. Taking a step back, it’s hard not to take note of improvements MLS continues to make.
