Lionel Messi calls Major League Soccer a 'minor league' in interview in Argentina... despite MLS helping bankroll $60m-a-year Inter Miami deal and stars such as Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio seeing him play!

Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer 'a minor league' in an interview in Argentina about whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup that will be held in the United States.

Messi joined David Beckham's Inter Miami in a landmark moment for the team and the league, with MLS allowing his $60million-a-year deal to be part-funded by Apple and adidas. It could run through to 2026.

Apple are paying into the deal through subscriptions taken out to watch him play in the league, while adidas give him a cut of the Miami jerseys that are sold with his name on the back.

While the league is not at the standard of the Spanish or French leagues Messi competed in during his time in Europe, the quotes emerging from an interview with Argentina - where he reflects on last year's World Cup win and his future at international level - make for awkward reading.

When asked about the 2026 tournament, Messi told Star+: 'I said it several times and it is a reality - I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can't. 

'I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but a lot happens because of the way one faces it and competes.'

Messi said that he is targeting playing in next summer's Copa America for Argentina, which is also held in the US. 

'As long as I feel that I'm fine and I can continue contributing, I'm going to do it,' Messi said.

'Today the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa América well and being able to compete in it . Fighting it again like we always did, trying to be champions.'

Messi made an electrifying impact when he joined Miami in the summer - spearheading the team's Leagues Cup triumph and scoring  11 goals in 14 games.

Miami also made the final of the US Open Cup but lost to Houston Dynamo with Messi missing the showpiece game through injury.

They also narrowly missed out on MLS's post-season playoffs after making a disastrous start to the 2023 campaign under previous coach Phil Neville.

But his arrival in Miami changed the course of their season and leads to huge excitement for next season - his first full year in MLS. 

Celebrities from across the US came out in force to see Messi in action as well - ranging from Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio to LeBron James and Prince Harry.

Furthermore, Inter Miami have already sold out for season tickets for next season, even with a massive hike in prices. 

The cheapest season ticket before Messi arrived was $485 for the season - with Messi, it has nearly doubled to $884. 

A ticket in the Midfield Club - a lower-level seat - costs $7,650 for next season when last season it was $3,600. 

Two other stars joined Miami alongside Messi in former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. 

Another has been heavily linked with joining in time for 2024 in Luis Suarez, a former Barcelona strike partner of Messi's who now plays in Brazil with Gremio.