Lionel Messi and other big stars are reportedly planning to leave MLS and the United States immediately after the season ends, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s official signing of his record-breaking contract with Trump. An agreement that will completely transform the American soccer system.
The soccer world was shaken on November 19, 2025 by the news that Cristiano Ronaldo had signed a five-year, $500 million multimillion-dollar contract with a Trump-backed MLS franchise. The club, named “Trump United FC”, is scheduled to launch in 2026, with the support of a consortium made up of real estate magnates and Saudi investors. Ronaldo’s signing, announced at a lavish gala at Mar-a-Lago, promises to inject unprecedented star power and funding into American soccer.
Ronaldo, the 40-year-old Portuguese star, has openly expressed his ambitions after his time at Al-Nassr. Fresh from a White House dinner with President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he described his signing as “the ultimate American dream.” The contract includes equity participation, advertising agreements with Trump-branded stadiums and a clause for world tours. Internal sources consider it “the greatest masterstroke in football since Beckham’s arrival at the LA Galaxy.”
Trump, a lifelong soccer fan, hailed Ronaldo as “the greatest of all time who will turn the United States into a soccer superpower.” The deal reportedly includes building a 100,000-capacity stadium in Florida, with luxury boxes and cryptocurrency ticket sales. Backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) ensures financial strength, positioning Trump United as a rival to MLS heavyweights like Inter Miami and LAFC.
The repercussions are felt most strongly in MLS, where Lionel Messi, 38, leads the chorus of disgruntled stars. Sources close to the Argentine legend reveal that he is furious about the power imbalance, fearing that the Trump government will monopolize talent and television contracts. Messi’s entourage, through anonymous intermediaries, confirmed his intention to leave Inter Miami after the 2025 playoffs, with his sights set on a return to Barcelona or a loan to Inter Milan to prepare for the World Cup.
Messi’s frustration lies in the lack of transparency of the agreement. “It’s a hostile takeover disguised as an investment,” one agent whispered to ESPN. Inter Miami, boosted by Messi’s Golden Shoe in 2025 (29 goals), now faces financial difficulties due to not having the necessary financing. The Herons board, led by Jorge Mas, desperately sought emergency capital, but Trump’s aggressive policy of recruiting players — stealing scouts from rival clubs — has deteriorated alliances.
Other prominent MLS figures echoed Messi’s position. Luis Suárez, his Uruguayan teammate up front, hinted at his return to Nacional in Montevideo. Sergio Busquets, the midfield maestro, weighed the possibility of returning to Barcelona, citing “family priorities.” Even American-born stars like Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic expressed concern, with Pulisic even hinting at a possible return to Chelsea. “Ronaldo leaving feels like the end of the MLS fairy tale,” Pulisic posted cryptically on Instagram.
Social networks lit up with the hashtag #MSLExodus, which became a global trend and reached 10 million mentions in 24 hours. Fans created memes of Trump dubbing him “The Emperor of Soccer,” with Ronaldo digitally edited over a golden eagle. Progressive voices denounced ties to Saudi Arabia as “whitewashing through sport 2.0,” linking them to human rights concerns. On the other hand, Trump supporters celebrated it as “a great victory for American sports.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber called an emergency board meeting in New York. “This alliance accelerates our growth,” he declared diplomatically, but the leaks suggest internal panic over the possibility of an antitrust investigation. The league’s deal with Apple TV, valued at $1.5 billion, could skyrocket to $5 billion under the influence of Trump United, but at the cost of competitiveness. Expansion fees for new franchises could triple, leaving mid-level owners out of the market.
The details of Ronaldo’s contract were leaked WikiLeaks style: a base salary of $100 million, $200 million in performance bonuses and $200 million for non-sports projects like NFT collectibles and Trump-branded academies. The contract stipulates 20 friendly matches annually, aimed at markets such as Texas and Nevada. Trump, building on the momentum of his 2024 re-election campaign, plans to make Trump United the flagship team for the joint organization of the 2026 World Cup.
In Miami, Messi’s entourage responded with a subtle Instagram story: a faded MLS shield superimposed on the Argentine flag. According to TyC Sports, he has received offers from PSG for a farewell in the Champions League. Suárez, in an interview with Radio Caracol, lamented: “We have built something beautiful here, but this agreement poisons it.” Busquets, always diplomatic, declared to Marca: “Grateful to the MLS, but my legacy calls me elsewhere.”
The reform also covers infrastructure. Trump United plans AI-powered scouting centers and young talent development programs at Trump golf courses. The PIF’s participation replicates its Al-Nassr model, where Ronaldo has scored 83 goals since 2023. Critics, including the president of FIFA’s ethics committee, Maria Claudia Lacouture, warn of possible conflicts with global governance, which could lead to sanctions.
Fans’ reactions were divided according to their political affiliation. In red states, chants of “CR7 for president!” could be heard in parking lots. Boycott pledges abounded on Democratic state forums such as Reddit’s r/MLS. A Change.org petition for “Fair Play in American Football” gained 500,000 signatures overnight, demanding congressional investigations into foreign influence.
The delicate balance Garber maintains becomes increasingly precarious. Attendance at MLS games in 2025 increased by 30% after Messi’s arrival, reaching 10 million fans throughout the league. But Trump United’s projected valuation of $1 billion could exceed that figure, attracting discarded Premier League players such as Raheem Sterling. Agents predict a talent drain, with 15% of Franchise Players seeking a departure by 2026.
Ronaldo, unfazed, previewed his US debut on Trump retweeted, adding: “Best deal ever, better than my steaks!” The friendship between the two, forged in the White House, underlines the fusion between sports and politics. Ronaldo’s ambassadorial role, honed in Saudi diplomacy, is now focused on US expansion.
For Messi, the disappointment is personal. His time at Inter Miami brought him 53 goals and 37 assists in 57 games, in addition to a victory in the 2024 League Cup. However, rumors of exhaustion due to unequal competition – which were echoed in his 2025 interviews – coincide with this departure. “MLS was a reset,” he declared, according to a source. “Now, it’s time to seek eternal glory.”
More far-reaching implications loom for the 2026 World Cup bid. The U.S. Soccer Federation sees Trump United as a showcase, but European federations complain about commercialization. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani praised the “innovation,” while UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin called it “a personal project of a billionaire.”
As the 2025 MLS Cup final approaches on December 7, tension is growing. Top-seeded Inter Miami faces the possibility of a talent drain. Messi, captain of the Argentine team defending its World Cup title, prioritizes his physical condition over controversy. But privately, he considers Ronaldo’s departure as the last straw in their rivalry, which has moved from the field of play to the offices.
In retrospect, this saga redefines the trajectory of American soccer. From the arrival of Messi in 2023 as a modest revolution to the overwhelming rise of Ronaldo fueled by Trump, the league is transformed into a global colossus. However, at what price for its essence? While the stars pack their bags, one truth remains: in the great football circus, the biggest signings change the rules.
