Monthly Archives: September 2023

Family, Friends, Learning

The “Messi effect” on MLS so far…

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There’s no denying that Messi’s arrival to MLS in August has had an impact of unprecedented proportions. It not unusual for some current (early 2000s: ‘David Beckham effect’ on MLS) or retired athletes (Now: ‘Deion Sanders effect’ on NCAA football) to have an effect in their sports; however, in Messi’s case, multiple aspects of MLS have been deeply and permanently impacted by the now well-known “Messi effect”. Below is a brief summary of its impact so far:

Joana outside “La Bombonera” stadium in Buenos Aires
  • Increased global attention: Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time and already had a massive global following. His arrival in MLS attracted substantial attention from not only American fans, media, and sponsors but worldwide too. MLS is benefitting from increased exposure, TV ratings, merchandise sales, and more international viewership. Since his arrival, Messi helped Inter Miami win its first trophy just a few weeks after joining the team. In his first 11 games with Inter Miami, the team won 10 and tied 1. In those games, Messi scored 11 goals and recorded 8 assists. With those numbers, it’s inevitable to not garner global attention.
  • Boost in attendance: Messi’s presence in MLS stadiums has increased attendance numbers. Every stadium where Messi has played has sold out. Fans (casual and hard-core) are eager to see one of the world’s best players in action. His participation in games has resulted in increased ticket sales (527% increase in prices) and higher game-day revenues.
  • Television (Apple tv) ratings and subscriptions: Inter Miami matches have experienced an exponential boost in television ratings. MLS Season Pass, which is Apple’s streaming package that broadcasts soccer matches, experienced a 1690% increase in sign-ups the day Messi first played for his new club. Broadcasters are excited to showcase Messi’s skills (in multiple languages) and MLS’ TV deals are becoming more lucrative abroad. Higher ratings have inevitably attracted more advertisers and sponsors.
  • Enhanced brand value: Messi’s arrival to the league has elevated its brand value and prestige. It’s now very common to see celebrities in attendance whenever Messi plays. He has not done it alone though, former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joined Inter Miami which only continued to elevate the club’s AND the league’s value. Inter Miami’s worth prior to Messi’s arrival was $575 million. As of September 15th, that value is now near $1 billion and estimated to be in the range of $1.3 to $1.5 billion in 2024.
  • Financial impact: While the signing of Messi required a significant financial investment -he earns an estimated $50 – $60 million annually-, his signing has led to an exponential overall revenue for the league. ESPN reported that in the first 24 hours of Messi jersey sales, it was the best 24 hours of any player’s changing teams across all sports. Messi’s Inter Miami jerseys were conveniently out of stock until a couple of days ago, they are currently priced at $180 each. Sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and international interest have generated additional income enabling MLS to potentially reinvest in infrastructure, youth development, and player salaries making the league even more attractive and financially competitive with top continental leagues such as Liga MX and Campeonato Brasileiro.
  • Player development and competition: Messi’s presence serves as a tremendous opportunity for young MLS players. Training and competing alongside one of the best players in the world has elevated the level of play of those around him (ex. Campana, Cremaschi, Allen, etc.). Elevating the competitive level of his teammates and opponents can gradually contribute to the overall development of domestic talent; thus improving the leagues’ competitiveness and who knows, maybe the US national team pool. Prior to Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami had only won 10/28 games, drawn 3 and lost 15. They were in last place and now, they are fighting for a playoff spot with a few games remaining in the season.

Unfortunately, not all the Messi effect’s and influence has had a positive effect on fans. See, I was refereeing this past weekend when out of the corner of my eye, I spot a soccer parent walking down the experts’ sideline trying to get his son’s attention while the match is going on. Once, he succeeded, he instructs his son, who at the time was playing as a forward, to forget about playing defense and play like Messi. We, other parents and myself, were all puzzled when the following emanated from his mouth: “Don’t defend anymore, just stay up and wait for the ball to come to you; only run when the ball is 5 feet away from you; that’s how Messi plays and he is successful at it”. The kid incredulous heeded his father’s instructions the remaining of the match.

Needless to say, his son’s team ended up losing the game badly as they practically played down a player and the son never touched the ball again in the match. Moral of the story, be careful instructing your children with stuff you see on TV without the proper knowledge, context and background. Sometimes, in an effort to help our kids, we prevent them from progressing. This supportive father, imparted some useful wisdom onto his son that ended up serving a completely unintended effect on his son (and his team) in part thanks to the “Messi effect”.

Texas soccer fans wearing Messi jerseys

Keep in mind that there’s only one Messi, and as simple as the game is, his greatness stems from making the simple game look even simpler. The “Messi effect” will gradually fade and we will be left with his legacy. For now, enjoy him while you can and if you are planning to watch him live, remember to not pay the exuberant ticket prices unless you are certain he will be playing. See below what some fans played for the Orlando vs Miami game last Sunday and Messi, Jordi, and Busquets did not play.

Part of the reason the ex-Barcelona trio did not play against Orlando was strategic. They need to rest for their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship match tomorrow night. That game, prior to Messi’s MLS arrival, would have taken place with little fanfare. Tomorrow, all the spotlights will be on Inter Miami, especially if Messi plays.

The opponent for that game will be Houston Dynamo and if Inter Miami is victorious, it could be Messi’s second trophy in the last 8 weeks. Stay tuned as he, and teammates, continue to shape up the “Messi effect” on MLS. Until next time, #theGomezway

College Soccer, Family, Learning, medical

Cryo or compression therapy for a football (soccer) player?

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Cryo and compression are two popular therapies used in sports recovery. Our family uses both; however, given its portability, we have used compression therapy more frequently. We own two sets of Hyperice Normatec leg sleeves in Germany and Spain respectively. At home, we use Cryonation where both therapies are readily available for the family. While both methods have advantages beyond sports recovery, let’s compare and contrast them with respect to football players specifically.

Joana and myself doing a 20 minute session of leg compression at CryoNation

Compression therapy

Compression therapy is a common treatment to help improve blood flow in your lower legs. There are three types of compression therapy: compression stockings, bandages and wraps, and inflatable devices. Below, we will address some of the benefits of inflatable devices (leg sleeves) as those are the ones most commonly used by athletes.

Enhanced Circulation: Leg air compression devices use sequential pressure to promote blood flow and lymphatic drainage. This can help remove metabolic waste products such as lactic acid and reduce inflammation, facilitating faster recovery and reducing muscle soreness.

Reduced Muscle Fatigue: Compression helps reduce muscle vibration during physical activity, leading to decreased muscle fatigue. By stabilizing the muscles and reducing microtrauma, leg air compression can help football players maintain their performance levels for longer periods.

Quicker Recovery: The improved circulation and lymphatic drainage provided by leg air compression can accelerate the recovery process by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles while removing metabolic waste. This can help football players recover from intense training sessions and matches more rapidly.

Injury Prevention: Compression garments provide a supportive effect, helping to stabilize muscles and joints. This can reduce the risk of muscle strains, sprains, and other injuries during football activities. By applying consistent pressure, leg air compression can also help prevent swelling and edema.

Travel Aid: Football players often experience long journeys for matches or tournaments (college soccer players), which can lead to swelling and discomfort in the legs. Leg air compression can improve circulation and alleviate these symptoms, making it a useful tool for travel recovery.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, which involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short duration, has gained popularity in various sports, including football. While individual experiences and opinions may vary, here are some potential benefits of cryotherapy for football players:

Jogo doing at full body Cryotherapy session

Enhanced Recovery: Cryotherapy may help accelerate the recovery process by reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. Exposure to cold temperatures can constrict blood vessels, which can help reduce swelling and promote faster healing after intense training sessions or matches.

Pain Relief: Cold therapy can act as a natural painkiller by numbing nerve endings and reducing pain sensitivity. Football players often experience muscle strains, joint soreness, and general fatigue, and cryotherapy may help alleviate these discomforts.

Improved Performance: Cryotherapy may enhance performance by increasing alertness and reducing fatigue. The sudden exposure to extreme cold stimulates the release of endorphins, which can boost mood, energy levels, and mental focus. This may be particularly beneficial before important matches or during periods of intense training.

Decreased Muscle Damage: Intense physical activity like football can cause microtrauma to muscles. Cryotherapy may help limit the extent of muscle damage by reducing metabolic activity and slowing down cell death. This could potentially lead to faster muscle repair and less severe muscle soreness.

Psychological Benefits: Cryotherapy sessions often involve brief exposure to extremely cold temperatures, which can be mentally challenging. Soccer players who incorporate cryotherapy into their routines may develop mental resilience, discipline, and a sense of accomplishment, which can be beneficial for their overall performance.

It’s important to note that while cryotherapy has potential benefits, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in football players is limited. Individual responses to cryotherapy may vary, and it’s always recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before implementing any new treatment or therapy.

Cryotherapy vs Compression therapy

Convenience: Leg air compression devices are portable and can be used anytime, anywhere, whereas cryotherapy normally requires access to specialized equipment or facilities. This makes leg air compression more accessible and convenient for football players. However, there are now companies like TIDL which have introduced portable cryo products like the ones pictured below.

Cost: Leg air compression devices are generally more affordable than cryotherapy sessions, especially considering long-term use. Cryotherapy often involves per-session costs, making it a more expensive option. At the writing of this document, a pair of Hyperice Normatec leg sleeves costs around $700-$900 and a single session of cryo therapy costs around $15-$35 each.

Targeted Recovery: Leg air compression provides localized compression to the legs, targeting specific muscle groups. In contrast, cryotherapy involves whole-body exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on the specific needs of a football player, one method may be more suitable than the other.

Pain Relief: Cryotherapy is known for its analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, which can be beneficial for acute injuries or intense soreness. While leg air compression may alleviate muscle soreness, it may not have the same immediate pain-relieving properties as cryotherapy. Those old-timers who have been watching football for decades will remember the old times when club trainers would come onto the field to assist an injured player, they would apply a form of high-pressure, cold spray to the injured area. Suddenly, the footballer would be back on his feet as the pain was numbed momentarily allowing the footballer to proceed the match.

Personal Preference: Some athletes may have a preference for one method over the other based on personal experiences and comfort. It’s important to consider individual preferences when choosing between leg air compression and cryotherapy.

Ultimately, both leg air compression and cryotherapy have their merits. Leg air compression is particularly advantageous for improving circulation, reducing muscle fatigue, and aiding in recovery, while cryotherapy may be more suitable for pain relief and acute injury management. Football players can choose the method that aligns with their specific needs, preferences, and resources.

We hope you have enjoyed this post. As usual for more information, please reach out. Don’t forget to give us a follow on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. #theGomezway