The Messi deal has turned out to be the best decision of David Beckham’s Inter Miami team.
Many stars have come to Inter Miami, helping the newly established team in 2018 to somewhat build a name. However, the Miami (USA)-based club is still struggling to assert its position in MLS (Major League Soccer).
But the June 2023 deal changed everything. Overnight, “Beckham’s team” became “Messi’s team”. The entire football world was stunned when the 2022 World Cup champion joined the club at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.
One year has passed, the Messi deal has become the best decision of David Beckham at Inter Miami.
On the professional front, Messi led Inter Miami to their first title in history (Leagues Cup 2023). The Argentine star scored 25 goals and had 16 assists in 29 appearances, despite having to deal with many injuries.
Messi’s appeal also helped Inter Miami recruit more names like Busquets, Alba and Suarez. In the 2024 season, the pink team is leading the MLS Eastern Conference and is sure to enter the playoff round to compete for the championship.
The off-field numbers are even more impressive. In one year, Inter Miami’s estimated value increased 72% from $600 million to $1.03 billion. Revenue increased from $60 million to $200 million (a 233% increase). The club’s Instagram account grew from 1 million to 17 million followers.
Every game featuring Messi is played to a packed stadium. Even teams that play against Inter Miami benefit. When Messi and his teammates visited Chicago Fire, 62,000 tickets were sold. The ticket sales for that one game were 55% of Chicago Fire’s annual ticket sales.
MLS subscriptions have also skyrocketed. On the day of Messi’s debut, one provider recorded 100,000 new subscribers, up from a paltry 6,143 the day before.
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of 2025. Boss Beckham in particular and MLS in general have high hopes for new breakthroughs in all aspects of the tournament thanks to the “Messi effect”.
