Lionel Messi Made Secret Agreement to Get Preferential MLS Treatment

Lionel Messi Made Secret Agreement to Get Preferential MLS Treatment

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has made a secret agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) to get preferential treatment, according to a report by The Athletic.

The report claims that Messi reached a "gentleman's agreement" with MLS and Inter Miami before finalising his move to the American league in 2023. The agreement reportedly allows Messi to choose when he wants to speak to the media, and to avoid certain media obligations.

This has led to some controversy, with some critics accusing Messi of not being held to the same standards as other MLS players. However, MLS has defended the agreement, saying that it is "in the best interests of the league".

**How the Agreement Works**

The agreement reportedly allows Messi to choose when he wants to speak to the media. This means that he can avoid speaking to the media after matches, or after training sessions. He can also choose which media outlets he wants to speak to.

The agreement also reportedly allows Messi to avoid certain media obligations, such as attending press conferences. This means that he can focus on his football, and not have to worry about dealing with the media.

**Why Messi Made the Agreement**

There are a few reasons why Messi might have made the agreement. One reason is that he may not want to deal with the media. Messi has always been a private person, and he may not enjoy the attention that comes with being a professional footballer.

Another reason is that Messi may not want to put himself at risk of injury. Speaking to the media after matches can be tiring, and it can also be a distraction. Messi may not want to do anything that could jeopardize his health.

Finally, Messi may have made the agreement as a way of getting what he wants. He is one of the most marketable athletes in the world, and he may have used his leverage to get the terms of the agreement that he wanted.

**The Controversy**

The agreement has led to some controversy, with some critics accusing Messi of not being held to the same standards as other MLS players. They argue that Messi is getting preferential treatment, and that this is unfair to other players.

MLS has defended the agreement, saying that it is "in the best interests of the league". They argue that Messi is a global icon, and that his presence in MLS will help to grow the league's popularity.

**The Future of the Agreement**

It is unclear how long the agreement will last. It is possible that Messi will renegotiate the terms of the agreement, or that he will eventually decide to speak to the media more regularly.

It is also possible that the agreement will be terminated if there is too much controversy. However, for now, the agreement is in place, and Messi is free to choose when he wants to speak to the media.

However, MLS hasn't provided an official reason for not cracking down on Messi's ongoing absence from the media. He's given one press conference and a couple of personally sanctioned interviews.

Unlike in Europe, where clubs mostly keep players away from open media access outside of mixed zones, all US sports have some sort of requirement for players to grant time to journalists after games. In some sports, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the Players' Association explicitly lays out media rules.

Reporters believe access to athletes enables them to build genuine relationships and tell rich stories that fans otherwise might not learn. Pre- and post-match interviews have been the basis of some of America's best sportswriting.

**Conclusion**

The agreement between Lionel Messi and MLS is a complex issue. There are valid arguments on both sides of the debate. Ultimately, it is up to MLS to decide whether or not the agreement is in the best interests of the league.