Jason Kelce maintained that it is not the same as seeing Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami as it was during his time in Europe managing the Argentina national team.
The NFL’s decision to hold this season’s Eagles-Packers game in Brazil was praised by Jason and his brother Travis on the most recent episode of the New Heights podcast. Jason then started talking nonstop about soccer and how the Major League Soccer differs from other leagues.
After Travis gushed over Messi’s most recent game in Kansas City, Jason, who had previously discussed his experience watching the 2016 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, maintained his position.
Travis said, “I’ll tell you what, though: Messi played in Kansas City this past weekend.” “Actually, he was an Arrowhead player.”
“Being in the MLS is not the same,” Jason remarked. To which Travis retorted, “Why is it not? Jason, please, don’t s**t on the MLS.
Jason Kelce insisted that Lionel Messi playing Miami is not the same as his previous teams
After leading Argentina to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Messi moved to Major League Soccer
Travis Kelce challenged his brother’s take and defended MLS on the New Heights podcast
Jason went on, “I’m not sh****ng on the MLS.” “It’s not international soccer,” I remark. That’s all I have to say. When you think of soccer, I know there are amazing teams abroad, the Major League Soccer, and the World Cup. International play comes first, followed by everything else.
Despite his elder brother’s enthusiastic praise for global contests, the three-time Super Bowl winner maintained that “the Premier League is the main focus.”
But even after Travis refused to back down from his defense of Major League Soccer, Jason insisted that the standard of play in the US is not the same as it was in Messi’s prior leagues.
Jason emphasized, “I didn’t say I won’t watch it (MLS).” All I’m saying is that the level wasn’t the same. Watching Messi play for Miami is not the same as watching him play for Barcelona or at the World Cup. All I’m trying to say is that it’s not the same.
Following his country’s 2023 FIFA World Cup victory, the Argentine stunned the sports world by relocating from Paris Saint-Germain to David Beckham’s Fort Lauderdale team.
When Messi joined, he won the first Leagues Cup, which helped The Herons win their first club championship. Within months of coming, he also guided Inter Miami to the US Open Cup Final.
Travis erupted into laughing as Jason remarked, “Seeing Michael Jordan on the golf course is not the same as seeing Jordan in a Bulls uniform.”
Messi recently played at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs
Upon his arrival in Miami, Messi led The Herons to their first club trophy in the Leagues Cup
Travis likened Messi’s move to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played in MLS in 2018-2020
“You see one person with the greatest team in history on the biggest stage imaginable,” he said. “This World Cup soccer player is the best.” That’s not the same as watching Lionel Messi destroy it in Kansas City, to put it mildly.
Travis persisted in his denial, drawing comparisons between Messi’s MLS endeavor and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish goal striker was a member of the Inter, Milan, Barcelona, and PSG teams before joining the LA Galaxy in 2018.
“Dude, it’s Lionel Messi, it’s the same,” Travis exclaimed. “It was exactly the same as when Ibrahimovic lost his mind in Los Angeles.” It’s energetic and fantastic. He added entertainment value to the MLS.
“It’s not great, I’m not saying it’s not good for MLS; I’m just saying it’s not as good,” Jason retorted. I’m not arguing that his move to Miami is a bad thing; in fact, it’s fantastic for American soccer and the MLS.
“I’m just saying, because it means more to Argentina than any other sport on the planet, that it’s nowhere near when he scores a goal for Argentina and the entire country is erupting and cheering.”