Don Garber Lauds Messi While Navigating Tensions: Insights from MLS Summit

MLS Commissioner Don Garber's recent remarks at the Tuned In summit in New York highlighted both the admiration and complexities in his relationship with Lionel Messi. Refusing to disclose the specifics of their heated exchange last month, Garber nonetheless called Messi “the greatest athlete of all time” when speaking to Front Office Sports editor-in-chief Dan Roberts.

Garber stated, “What was going on there is between me and Leo,” implying that the details would remain a personal matter. He further added, “I admire it, I appreciate it, and I think it’s what makes Leo Messi the greatest player ever to play the game of soccer, football, and I will go and say the greatest athlete of all time.” This declaration comes on the heels of a dramatic trophy presentation where Messi was seen animatedly gesturing towards Garber after Inter Miami's 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup.

The incident raised eyebrows as Messi, clearly upset, pointed and spoke towards Garber during the celebration, reflecting a passionate character trait that Garber believes sets Messi apart from his contemporaries. “The best players in the world have passion,” Garber noted. “The legendary players have more than passion.” This statement reinforces the notion that Messi's fierce competitive spirit both on and off the field is a hallmark of his extraordinary career.

This isn't the first time Garber has found himself at odds with Messi. In 2022, Messi received a one-game suspension for skipping MLS’s All-Star Game, a decision that infuriated him and Inter Miami. Garber later acknowledged that the relationship between himself and Messi was strained. Back then, he quipped, “I don’t think he wants to talk to me,” illustrating the animosity that arose from the suspension.

Fast forward to 2026, and Messi missed yet another All-Star Game. However, this time, he avoided punishment due to the league excusing him and his teammate Rodrigo De Paul, citing their recent commitments in the World Cup final. This concession indicates a potential thaw in their previously icy dynamic, with Garber suggesting that the two may be “communicating a little bit more.”

Garber continued to emphasize the significant impact Messi has had on Major League Soccer's viewership and revenue. His presence alone boosts attendance, particularly on away games, as fans flock to see the maestro in action. “People want to be able to see a player who they can tell their kids, ‘I watched Leo Messi play,’” Garber conveyed, underlining how Messi’s performances resonate across generations and contribute to the league's growing global appeal.

As Garber approaches the end of his tenure after nearly three decades at the helm, he’s overseeing a league that has transformed from a niche soccer entity into a 30-team powerhouse, attracting global icons like Messi, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Son Heung-min. Reflecting on this evolution, Garber's tenure has been marked by a remarkable expansion and increasing professionalism in Major League Soccer since he took on the commissioner role in 1999.

Messi's decision to join Inter Miami in 2023, shortly after the club's entrance into MLS, signaled a new era for the league. Since then, he has netted an impressive 104 goals in all competitions, steering Miami to an MLS Cup title in 2025. Messi's consistent performances reinforce not just his talent, but his importance as a draw for the league.

As Garber prepares for his departure later this year, transitioning to a role as “chairman,” he leaves behind a legacy that entwines itself with Messi's impact on the game in the U.S. His successor, Larry Berg, will inherit a league at the cusp of further growth, fueled by the continued presence of superstars like Messi.

Ultimately, Garber’s assessment of Messi encapsulates a complex relationship marked by admiration, tension, and unwavering respect, serving as a microcosm for how far Major League Soccer has come and where it is heading. Messi's competitive drive, coupled with Garber’s leadership, will surely become defining elements of the league's narrative in the seasons to come.