Mateusz Klich Criticizes Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in MLS Rant

In a candid interview that has continued to reverberate through Major League Soccer into 2026, former Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich delivered a scathing assessment of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The 35-year-old Polish international, who spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in MLS with D.C. United and Atlanta United before returning to KS Cracovia in August 2025, did not hold back when asked about the best destinations for Polish players considering a move to the United States. His answer placed Inter Miami at the bottom of the list, at least for as long as Messi remains the club's central figure.

Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 was a transformational moment for MLS and for football in the United States. The Argentine superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, turned a modest Florida club into a global brand. David Beckham's side had enjoyed little competitive success before Messi's move, but his presence helped deliver the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024. Attendance, merchandise sales, streaming numbers, and international interest all surged. For many players, the chance to share a dressing room with Messi would be a dream.

Klich, however, sees a different reality. Speaking on the Foot Truck YouTube channel, he was asked which MLS clubs he would recommend to a compatriot. His response was blunt: he would not recommend Miami as long as Messi is there. The comment was not merely a sporting judgment. Klich suggested that Messi and his father, Jorge, wield an unusually large influence over club affairs, a dynamic that can complicate life for other players. According to Klich, the power structure around Messi makes Inter Miami a less attractive destination than its glamorous image suggests.

Instead, Klich pointed to several other MLS markets. He recommended the two New York clubs, noting that the Red Bulls now have a better stadium while New York City FC is building a cracking stadium of its own. He also highlighted Nashville SC as an excellent option, describing it as a beautiful place and the capital of the country. Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati earned praise for their stadiums and strong infrastructure, though Klich warned that the cities themselves can be boring places to live. Portland and Seattle, meanwhile, offer atmosphere but sit at the end of the world in his view.

The remarks add a rare public critique to the Messi era in MLS. Since 2023, Inter Miami has been built around Messi's talents and commercial appeal. That strategy has produced trophies and unprecedented visibility, but it has also raised questions about roster balance, salary rules, and the concentration of influence. Klich's comments give voice to a concern that some players may prefer a more traditional club environment where hierarchy is based on performance rather than global fame. For a Polish player seeking regular minutes, tactical clarity, and a stable dressing room, Miami may not be the ideal landing spot.

The timing of Klich's critique is notable. He left MLS in August 2025 and returned to KS Cracovia, the club where he began his career. A month later, he made his feelings known. By 2026, the debate remains relevant because Messi is still the face of Inter Miami and MLS continues to grow. The league has more visibility than ever, but with that visibility comes scrutiny. Klich's recommendations also reflect a broader truth about MLS: the experience varies enormously from market to market. New York offers global-city energy, Nashville offers a booming cultural scene, Columbus and Cincinnati offer strong soccer infrastructure, and Portland and Seattle offer some of the league's best atmospheres. Miami offers Messi, but also the complications that come with him.

At the time of writing, neither Messi nor Inter Miami had responded directly to Klich's claims. The silence has not stopped the conversation. In a league eager to promote its superstar era, Klich's words serve as a reminder that not everyone views the Messi project as an unqualified positive. For Polish players weighing an MLS move, his advice is clear: look at New York or Nashville first, and think carefully before choosing Miami while Messi and his inner circle remain at the center.