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France World Cup winner Marcel Desailly has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo could bring more to the MLS than Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.
Marcel Desailly, a key figure in France’s 1998 World Cup triumph and one of Chelsea's icons, believes Cristiano Ronaldo could elevate Major League Soccer (MLS) to new heights ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
While acknowledging that Lionel Messi’s presence at Inter Miami has sparked greater interest in soccer across the U.S., Desailly argues that Ronaldo’s commercial appeal could have an even greater impact.
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Speaking to Oddspedia, he said, “I’d love to see Cristiano Ronaldo in America because of the 2026 World Cup. Look at Saudi Arabia—they’ve used sports like tennis, golf, and football to expand their global reach.
"By bringing top players to their league, they’ve boosted football’s popularity in Asia, from India to China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
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"Ronaldo could do the same for MLS, bringing a soccer culture that’s still developing here. Messi has generated excitement, but Cristiano’s presence would attract major sponsors and brands that haven’t yet invested in the sport.”
Recent reports indicate that Ronaldo is likely to extend his contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where his current deal runs until June 2025. There’s also speculation about a potential short-term move to a Club World Cup team.
While Desailly isn’t alone in advocating for Ronaldo to join MLS, such a move appears unlikely for the time being.
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