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Today's Monday episode dives into the business of MLS and the contradiction at its core. Lead with Lionel Messi skipping the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte alongside Rodrigo De Paul, excused under FIFPro's 21-day World Cup rest rule — no suspension this time, unlike the 2025 incident when Messi and Jordi Alba were banned. Second story: MLS is targeting a $400-500 million annual TV deal when the Apple agreement expires after 2029, up from $250M/year, while facing a crowded US soccer market and a planned USL top-flight league with promotion/relegation in 2028. Third story: the connective angle — MLS is selling future rights partners on Messi and World Cup momentum, but Messi keeps skipping marquee events and will not play forever. Fourth story: Antoine Griezmann scored in his MLS debut for Orlando City, a 4-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes, showing a model for MLS beyond Messi. Closer: European market still moving — Arsenal prepared to make Vinícius Júnior their highest-paid player ever, Inter in talks with Tottenham over Cristian Romero, and John Stones drawing Serie A interest.
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