Marcelo Balboa, a legendary figure in USMNT history, believes that Lionel Messi’s presence in Major League Soccer (MLS) has transformed the landscape in the United States. Balboa made this statement following his impressive free-kick that led to a comeback victory against Porto, enhancing Javier Mascherano’s team’s chances of advancing to the knockout round. In an interview with TNT Sports, Balboa emphasized that Messi has initiated a significant change both on the field and in the broader soccer culture in the U.S. Messi’s entry into MLS significantly increased interest in the league, drawing more viewers and enhancing the connection to local soccer. “A significant number of jerseys have been sold, and it has sparked a change,” Balboa stated to TNT Sports. “With Messi’s arrival, many people in America began to drink mate, even though they weren’t familiar with it before.” Previously, Denver had no Argentinian eateries, but now there are places offering empanadas, choripanes, and various other dishes. “Messi transformed the scene here in the United States.” I never expected to witness Americans sipping mate while on the field.