Don Garber responded to the statements made by Hossam Hassan regarding the decline in Lionel Messi's popularity after his move to the American league.

Hossam Hassan spoke about Mohamed Salah's future, indicating that a move to Major League Soccer might not be the best option, considering that the league is far from the spotlight compared to the major leagues.

In his comment, Garber expressed his surprise at these statements, affirming that Messi remains the most popular player in the world, and his status has not been affected after his move to the United States.

He added that Major League Soccer continues to work on enhancing its global standing, noting that such opinions reflect the challenges the league faces on its path towards further expansion.

He also explained that the perception of the American league has changed significantly in recent years, citing the presence of several international players who represent their national teams despite participating in the competition.

He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the American league has become a competitive environment capable of attracting major stars, given its continuous development on the global football stage.