MLS commissioner Don Garber says Kylian Mbappé ‘wants to come to the league’ after Lionel Messi move

Lionel Messi hasn’t even played his first MLS game yet and already the league is looking to bring in another bona fide superstar of the game.

A report from British journalist Duncan Castles claims that MLS has begun exploring the possibility of bringing Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé to the league, “emboldened” by their success in attracting Messi. Mbappé’s future at PSG is in serious doubt as a stand-off between him and the club continues. MLS commissioner Don Garber believes the league can capitalize on its acquisition of Messi by persuading his former teammate to join him in the US.

After MLS bent itself out of shape to be able to finance a deal to bring seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi to Miami, giving the World Cup winner a slice of Apple, the league’s broadcast partner, as well as future shares in Miami, Garber explained that they would undertake similarly unusual efforts to facilitate a move for Mbappé.

“There was only one David Beckham, there’s only one Lionel Messi,” said Garber. “But, you know, who knows? Mbappé wants to come into the league and a team in our MLS wants to do something unique? MLS is ambitious and innovative and who knows what kind of structure we’ll come up with.”

PSG are thought to be seeking a transfer fee of €150 million ($165 million USD) to sell French superstar Mbappé. If they don’t sell him, they will almost certainly lose him for free next summer once his contract expires.

Mbappé, 24, has said he intends to see out the final season of that contract. He recently rejected a move to Saudi Arabia after Qatari-owned PSG accepted a written offer of €300 million ($330 million USD) from Al Hilal last month.

Incidentally, Al Hilal are now reportedly pursuing Canada star Jonathan David as a back-up option, while PSG have agreed to sign star Portugal attacker Gonçalo Ramos from Benfica in the last week.

It’s seeming more and more that Mbappé will end up in one of two places by this time next year: Real Madrid of Major League Soccer. What a world we now live in.

Messi and Mbappé both at BMO Field next year? Don’t count it out.

 

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Lionel Messi’s MLS takeover brings out Tony Romo and wife Candice for date night

Add Tony Romo and wife Candice Crawford to the growing list of celebs eager to check out Lionel Messi in action.

In what appeared to be a rare public appearance for the couple, they were spotted at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Sunday, where Messi’s Inter Miami squad defeated FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup match.

Romo and Crawford, who tend to keep their personal life private, both wore white shirts at the game, according to photos floating around on Twitter.

The former Cowboys quarterback-turned-CBS broadcaster seemed locked into the action while talking to his wife.

At one point, Romo was seen pointing at the field while Crawford offered a serious expression.

The internet had a field day over the moment.

One user said Crawford “seems to find it wildly entertaining.

“Is she sleeping????” another asked.

Some were surprised to see Romo, 43, and Crawford, 36, during the NFL offseason.

Others speculated that Messi playing in Dallas brought the couple out for a date night.

The Argentinian superstar scored two goals to propel Inter Miami to a comeback win over FC Dallas.

Messi made waves in the soccer world when he signed with the Miami club last month following speculation about his then-impending exit from Paris St Germain.

Romo and Crawford appeared to be without their three sons: Hawkins, 11, Rivers, 9, and Jones, 5.

In an exclusive interview in February, Romo told The Post he was looking forward to spending the NFL offseason vacationing with his family.

Romo and Crawford, the sister of “Gossip Girl” alum Chace Crawford, met when she was an intern for the Cowboys and began dating in 2009.

They tied the knot two years later.

Romo is currently anticipating the start of the 2023 NFL regular season, when he will return to the CBS booth with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz to call the biggest games.

The duo kicks off Week 1 with Eagles vs. Patriots — Tom Brady’s homecoming celebration at Gillette Stadium — followed by a trip to Romo’s former stomping grounds in Week 2 when the Cowboys host the Jets.

Romo secured in 2020 what was the largest sports analyst contract in TV at the time, signing a 10-year contract for $17.5 million per year with CBS.