How David Beckham set the MLS foundation for Lionel Messi. ‘The Messi effect is dramatic’

Lionel Messi, left, shakes hands with David Beckham during a friendly match between FC Barcelona and the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in August 2009. If Beckham the player brought MLS attention and respectability, Beckham the owner brought the league Messi ... and everything else. Trace the timeline of Major League Soccer from its uncertain beginnings to its unquestioned success and you’ll find Greg Vanney was there at every important juncture.

He played in 29 games, including the first MLS Cup final, in the league’s inaugural season in 1996, then came off the bench in David Beckham’s debut 11 years later. In 2017, he took Toronto FC to three trophies, still the only MLS treble, and last season…