Kasey Keller pushed back on Lionel Messi‘s views on the MLS salary cap. While Messi feels the salary cap restricts the league’s growth, Keller said the rule helps maintain parity.
Messi, 38, made global headlines when he chose to sign with Inter Miami after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His arrival to MLS sparked interest in the league and resulted in several former teammates joining him. After Miami won MLS Cup last year, the Argentinian legend shared his thoughts on the league’s current salary cap structure.
Under the current roster rules, MLS clubs are allowed to sign three Designated Players to unlimited salaries. However, they must remain cap-compliant when filling out their remaining roster slots. It is similar to North American sports leagues, including the NHL and NBA, which also adopt a salary cap structure.
Keller, a legendary USMNT goalkeeper, opposes Messi’s argument for doing away with the salary cap.
Kasey Keller Explains Why He Disagrees with Lionel Messi Over Salary Cap
Lionel Messi argued that MLS could be far more competitive and attract notable star players. While abolishing the salary cap could lead to more investment, primarily from wealthier owners, Kasey Keller said the league should keep it.
The former USNMT goalkeeper believes the cap should remain intact and explained what what he sees as the real problem. Keller said that there is a lack of internal competition rather than a lack of talent.
“What I would do, I wouldn’t necessarily get rid of the [salary] cap. The way MLS works now, is you have these designated players, you have these targeted allocation players,” Keller told Jackpot City Casino. “What that really does, when you get somebody that you’re paying, there’s really no other competition in the squad.”
He continued:
“The problem then is you say, ‘Okay, this guy is making $250, 000 and this guy is making $2.5 million, and there’s no way in the cap to reward the guy that is making $250, 000 when he beats out the guy making $2.5 million,’ he said. “I just can’t let the guy beat him out, because I’ll look [foolish] to my owner if I’m not playing the guy I’m 10 times the salary to.”
Keller Says MLS Has Maximized Messi’s Impact
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 09: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF takes a corner kick during the MLS match between New England Revolution and Inter Miami CF at Gillette Stadium on July 09, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Keller also said he believes Messi’s impact on MLS has reached its peak. Before the Argentine’s arrival, the league shifted to a streaming model by signing a broadcast rights deal with Apple TV.
With Inter Miami’s surge in popularity, clubs have profited from relocated away matches to larger stadiums. Still, Keller questioned whether that model is sustainable.
“[The Messi effect] has definitely peaked to a point, because there was a situation where nobody knew how long he was going to be playing in the league,” he told Jackpot City Casino. “I knew a lot of people who were wealthy enough to be able to take their kids to an Inter Miami game, because you don’t know if you’re able to see Messi again.”
He added: “It’s like when WWE comes into town, or Supercross comes into town. It’s like are you building something for a fanbase that is week in and week out?”
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