MLS has long been considered a likely end-of-career destination for Messi, but the intensity of such links has ramped up considerably in recent days, with media reports suggesting David Beckham-backed Inter are increasingly confident of luring the Paris Saint-Germain forward to MLS as early as next year.
Beckham was of course seen as something of a pioneer when he made the switch to LA Galaxy in 2007, and stars such as Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Didier Drogba all followed over the next decade.
But before MLS, the North American Soccer League (NASL) had served a similar purpose for ageing superstars in the 1970s and 80s, with Brazil legend Pele proving the trendsetter back then when he joined the Cosmos – Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Gerd Muller, Eusebio, Bobby Moore and George Best all went on to feature in the NASL before it collapsed after the 1984 season.
For all the history US soccer has with the biggest names in the sport, Friedel thinks nothing that has gone before could compare with the impact Messi's arrival would have.
"So, we had David Beckham over here, which was one of the best signings that MLS ever made for notoriety around the world," he told Stats Perform.
"And in today's day and age with social media, everyone's sort of a journalist with their phones these days, and how quickly media gets around the world.
"[Messi to MLS] would be unlike anything anyone's ever seen in this country, including when Pele was over here, just because of the way the media is.
"It would be incredible if Lionel Messi was playing in this league. The fans that he attracts, the global respect, how good he has been.
"If they can pull that off… I'm not generally [in favour of] the older player coming in [to MLS], but like [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Gareth] Bale were [signed] for a reason and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic was for a reason, then work out that if you can get Messi, get him over here."
Although Messi's PSG contract expires next year, Inter should not expect a free run at the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
PSG are still reportedly confident of securing a contract extension, while officials from Messi's former club Barcelona have spoken openly about their desire to bring him back to Camp Nou.
The Brazil great and three-time World Cup winner died on Thursday at the age of 82, with his daughter confirming his passing on Instagram.
He had been moved to palliative care early in December after his body stopped responding to cancer treatment.
Before Christmas Day, his family travelled to be by his side at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo.
Following Pele's death, the hospital subsequently released a medical report that read: "The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein confirms with regret the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, today, December 29, 2022, at 3:27 p.m., due to multiple organ failure, a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition.
"The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein sympathises with the family and all who suffer from the loss of our dear King of Football."
Pele is the only man to have won the World Cup three times, having helped the Selecao to World Cup success in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
His first World Cup triumph in 1958 came when he was just 17 years and 249 days old, making him the youngest player to win it. Pele scored in the showpiece game – no one younger has ever netted in a World Cup final.
Pele's 77 goals at international level remain a record for Brazil, though one he shares with Neymar, who equalled the tally at this year's World Cup.
The Brazil legend was admitted to Sao Paulo's Hospital Albert Einstein on February 13 for treatment on a colon tumour.
Doctors discovered a UTI eight days after he was admitted but said on Monday that the issue has been resolved.
A statement from the hospital read: "The patient's clinical conditions are stable and he is cured of his infection.
"He will continue his treatment for the colon tumour, identified in September 2021."
The 81-year-old was previously re-admitted to hospital for treatment on his tumour on December 8, before being discharged on December 23.
A three-time World Cup winner, Pele is one of only four players to score in four different World Cups.
He remains Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games, seven goals ahead of Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar (70).
The three-time World Cup winner, regarded among the greatest players of all time, underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his colon last year, and has been in and out of hospital since.
He was hospitalised earlier this week, though his daughter said on Wednesday there was "no surprise or emergency", with Pele then saying it was a "monthly visit" in a post on Instagram.
However, a report in Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday said Pele was no longer responding to chemotherapy treatment and is now receiving pain-relieving measures in a palliative end-of-life care ward.
The 82-year-old will not be the subject of any invasive treatment or tests.
As a teenager, Pele inspired Brazil to their first World Cup triumph in 1958 and won the tournament with the Selecao twice more in 1962 and 1970.
Last week, when Brazil got their 2022 campaign under way, he sent a message of good luck to the squad.
He wrote on Instagram: "Today we start writing a new story. No matter the size and tradition of the opponents: we must respect and play each match with the focus of a final.
"It is important to play beautifully, yes, but it is also essential to leave everything on the pitch.
"Today, we will be more than 200 million hearts beating as one, vibrating with each achievement of our Selecao.
"I am sending all positive energies to you. I'm sure we'll have a happy ending. God bless you. Bring this trophy home!"
Brazil won Group G despite rounding off the pool stage with a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon following wins over Serbia and Switzerland. They face South Korea in the last 16 on Monday.
The Brazilian legend is one of football’s most iconic figures and his death at the age of 82 brings the curtain down on a life and career that entertained and inspired in equal measure.
The forward, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Tres Coracoes in 1940, was just 15 years old when he made his Santos debut in 1956, winning his first Brazil cap the following year.
It was at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden that Pele first commanded international attention, though.
Brazil were yet to lift the Jules Rimet trophy when Pele first burst onto the scene, but the teenager helped kick-start a period of success for the South American nation with a series of scintillating displays.
After breaking into Vicente Feola's starting XI for the final game of the group stage against the Soviet Union, Pele thrived during the knockout matches, scoring six goals as Brazil saw off Wales, France and Sweden to clinch their maiden title.
Pele's influence began to tell domestically too, scoring 127 goals in 1959, and Santos picked up the first of five consecutive Taca Brasil crowns in 1961 – the same year he was declared a Brazilian national treasure – before a groin injury hindered his involvement in the country's successful World Cup defence in Chile in 1962.
Santos collected back-to-back Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup triumphs in 1962 and 1963 – Pele scoring in all four finals – but he was a marked man at the 1966 World Cup in England, with heavy tackles limiting his influence as Brazil crashed out at the group stage.
There would be one last World Cup flourish for Pele, though, scoring the opener and turning in a superb final display as Brazil beat Italy 4-1 to reclaim the title, earning the legendary striker a record third tournament win.
After a brief retirement, Pele eventually closed out his career playing for the New York Cosmos in the United States.
Pele's achievements have been celebrated with countless individual accolades, including being a joint winner of FIFA's Player of the Century with Diego Maradona in 2000.
"God was really generous with Pele in every way," former international team-mate Rivellino told Stats Perform. "Physically speaking he was a perfect athlete.
"He was fantastic, a good team-mate, very positive, always pushing us to win.
"He was a guy I learned a lot from, he was an example for me on the pitch.
"He wanted to get perfection. It is difficult to get there but he got very close to it.
"His headers were the best, his ball control was like no one else's, he was great with both legs. He could even play as a goalkeeper, so he was a phenomenal player and I believe in life I will not see anyone like him.
"All he won and did, for me there won't be another one.
"Another great player may appear – an excellent player – but another king like him? No."
Pele spent his later years working as an ambassador for a variety of charitable causes and commercial partners, but it is his magic on the field that will forever set the benchmark.
Reports in Brazil said the 82-year-old has been moved to palliative care after a cancer battle.
The three-time World Cup winner ranks highly among the greatest players of all time, and he underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his colon last year.
There have been frequent hospital visits since, but reports have now claimed Pele is not responding to chemotherapy treatment and is instead receiving pain-relieving measures in an end-of-life care ward.
France striker Mbappe, immersed in a World Cup campaign with Les Bleus in Qatar, wrote on Twitter: "Pray for the king."
Former Brazil number 10 Rivaldo, a World Cup winner in 2002, added: "Strength King @Pele."
Santos, Pele's former club, said: "It's the whole world wishing for improvement and together with you, King @Pele!"
Pele was hospitalised earlier this week, though his daughter said on Wednesday there was "no surprise or emergency".
That was followed by Pele saying it was a "monthly visit" in a post on Instagram.
However, a report in Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday said Pele's health situation had changed.
Rodrygo, a member of Brazil's current World Cup squad, wrote before the news of Pele's deteriorating health was reported: "Strength, King @Pele! Praying and cheering for your recovery!"
As a 17-year-old, Pele inspired Brazil to their first World Cup triumph in 1958, and he won the tournament with the Selecao twice more, in 1962 and 1970.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, thought to be one of the most lucrative in football history, following his Manchester United exit.
The Portugal international has yet to make his debut due to a domestic suspension carried over from his time at United, but his impact is already being felt off the pitch.
And in the view of Garcia, the transfer is comparable to the late Pele's move to American club Cosmos in 1975 following a legendary spell with Santos.
"It's a bit like Pele's arrival, especially for the development of football, sport and culture in Saudi Arabia," Garcia was quoted as saying by L'Equipe.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a player. He is one of the best players in the world.
"It's amazing how much it’s put a spotlight on our club. Now everyone knows where our club is around the world.
"We must have gone from 800,000 [Twitter followers] to 10 million in a few hours, or a few days, because of Cristiano's arrival."
Ronaldo missed Friday's 2-0 win over Al Tai and will also sit out Saturday's trip to Al Shabab due to a ban imposed for knocking a phone out of an Everton fan's hand last April.
He is eligible to make his Al Nassr debut against Al Ettifaq on January 22, but Garcia has confirmed Ronaldo may first feature in a prestige friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
That could mean a clash between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as PSG take on a Saudi All-Star XI made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal, but Garcia is not entirely happy.
"His debut won't be with the Al Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr," Garcia said.
"As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be pleased with this match. For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing.
"But we have a championship game three days later. In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it's not a big deal.
"We are in the lead, we are happy. It is a difficult championship to win, but we intend to do it."
Ronaldo struggled for playing time prior to his United exit and then lost his place in Portugal's starting line-up in their disappointing World Cup campaign.
Asked what he hopes to see from the 37-year-old when he belatedly makes his debut, Garcia said: "If he finds the pleasure of playing again, that will already be a goal achieved."
