The American league responds to Ibrahim Hassan regarding Mohamed Salah's transfer
The NBA commissioner strongly responds to Ibrahim Hassan's statements
The global sports community reacted strongly to the decisive response from Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber to recent statements made by Egyptian national team manager Ibrahim Hassan. This verbal exchange comes at a sensitive time, as football fans eagerly await news of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah's future, especially with his contract with Liverpool FC nearing its end at the conclusion of the current season.
Ibrahim Hassan warns of declining popularity
The story began when Ibrahim Hassan publicly advised his compatriot Mohamed Salah against moving to the American league. Hassan justified his opinion by saying that playing in the United States would distance the "Egyptian Pharaoh" from the global spotlight, leading to a significant decline in his popularity. Hassan cited the example of Argentine star Lionel Messi, claiming that the latter's popularity decreased after his move to Inter Miami. Hassan concluded his remarks by advising Salah to either remain in European leagues or consider a move to the Saudi Professional League, which is experiencing tremendous growth.
A sarcastic and decisive response from Don Garber
Major League Soccer (MLS) responded quickly, with Don Garber telling the British newspaper The Guardian, in a reply that was both sarcastic and confident, "This is the first time I've heard of anything like this. Lionel Messi is undeniably the most popular player in the world. I would be very happy to send the Egyptian official an MLS subscription so he can watch as many of Messi's games as possible and see the truth for himself.".
Garber added, explaining the great development that soccer is witnessing in America: “I think Ibrahim Hassan’s point of view reflects the old challenges and stereotypes that we faced in our quest to develop. In the recent past, Mexican national team coaches refused to call up players from the American league, but this situation has completely changed today.”.
General context: The evolution of the American league and the struggle to attract stars
These statements come at a historical juncture, as Major League Soccer (MLS) experiences unprecedented growth. Since Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami, global viewership has doubled thanks to a strategic partnership with Apple TV+, and stadiums have broken attendance records, refuting the notion that the popularity of stars who move there declines. Furthermore, the United States, in partnership with Canada and Mexico, is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the American market a fertile and attractive environment for the biggest names in the world of football.
The expected impact of Mohamed Salah's next destination
Mohamed Salah's upcoming decision carries significant regional and international implications. If he chooses to move to the Saudi league, he will bolster the strength of the sports project in the Middle East and join a constellation of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. However, if he decides to pursue a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), he will become a new face for football in North America, opening up massive commercial and advertising markets. In this regard, Garber concluded by emphasizing the strength of his project, saying, "We have provided dozens of players to Europe, we have the best facilities in the world, and now we have a coach of Mauricio Pochettino's caliber to lead the US national team. I have faced doubts for 27 years, and they will never deter me from continuing to succeed.".
