Australian football legend Leigh Matthews has warned the AFL that the league's "spectacle is more critical" than it has ever been, with football's "monopoly on Melbourne winter sport" lost.

A crowd of 99,382 attended Friday night's International Champions Cup soccer game between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the MCG, while just 26,815 turned up to see Hawthorn inflict Carlton's heaviest ever defeat at Etihad Stadium.

The MCG was packed to the gills for this closing match of the International Champions Cup. Credit:Getty Images

None of the three biggest crowds at the MCG so far this year have been for an AFL game, with Friday night's soccer, March's Cricket World Cup final and June's State of Origin rugby league all drawing more than the 88,395 that watched Collingwood's ANZAC Day win over Essendon.

With the AFL scoring drought continuing amid massive stoppage numbers, Matthews said on Saturday the league would need to be vigilant.