Lionel Messi’s earth-shattering move to Inter Miami CF has sent shockwaves through the MLS and American soccer as a whole. The Argentinian superstar, who recently led his national team to victory in the World Cup and has claimed numerous Ballon d’Or awards, has decided to leave Paris Saint Germain and Ligue 1 behind for a new challenge in the United States.
This move mirrors the iconic transfer of David Beckham from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy back in 2007, which proved to be one of the best sports business deals ever. Beckham’s arrival not only earned him an impressive $255 million over five years but also allowed him to purchase Inter Miami for a mere $25 million. Today, the club’s valuation stands at an astonishing $600 million, and with Messi joining their ranks, it is expected to soar even higher, potentially reaching the $1 billion mark.
Despite receiving lucrative offers from his former club Barcelona and Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal, which reportedly offered compensation worth over $1 billion on a multi-year deal, Messi has chosen to embark on this new adventure in American soccer.
To accommodate Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami made some significant changes within the club. They recently released coach Phil Neville, and it seems that former Atlanta United coach, Tata Martino, is on the verge of taking charge at the helm of the team. This coaching appointment adds further credibility to Inter Miami’s ambitions and underscores the club’s commitment to building a strong and successful team.
Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami means he will also become part of the ownership group, which includes soccer legend David Beckham. Reports suggest that Messi’s 35% stake in the club is estimated to be worth more than $200 million, highlighting the magnitude of his investment and commitment to the team’s success.
Furthermore, Messi stands to benefit financially beyond the MLS itself. He has secured deals that entitle him to a share of revenue generated from new subscribers to MLS Season Pass, the league’s streaming package on Apple TV+. Additionally, his partnership with Adidas, the official outfitter of the MLS, will provide him with a cut of any increase in profits resulting from his association with the league. These financial incentives underscore the commercial appeal and star power that Messi brings to the MLS and could turn into a multi-billion deal for Messi in the long run.
There is also speculation surrounding the potential arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the MLS. Reports suggest that the Portuguese star may make a move from Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia to an MLS club next year. If this were to happen, the addition of Ronaldo alongside Messi would undoubtedly further elevate the profile of the league and capture the imagination of soccer fans across the United States, as the two most iconic stars of the past thirty years would be playing in the MLS. Their presence alone could be the catalyst that catapults MLS soccer into a top tier soccer league that can eventually compete with the European soccer clubs.
As for Messi’s debut in the MLS, he could potentially participate in the Leagues Cup competition, a tournament that brings together teams from Liga MX and MLS. Inter Miami is scheduled to face Mexico’s Cruz Azul on Friday, July 21, in their opening group stage match. This would allow Messi a month-long break following Argentina’s friendlies against Australia and Indonesia in mid-June. However, if he decides to wait until August, his home debut against Charlotte FC on Sunday, August 20, could be the most logical choice, as MLS takes a month-long break from mid-July to mid-August for the Leagues Cup tournament.
Lionel Messi’s arrival in the MLS promises to be a game-changer for American soccer. His presence will not only attract global attention but will also raise the level of play in the league and inspire young players across the country. There is already evidence of the massive impact of Messi occurring. Inter Miami’s Instagram account has already added five million followers in just 24 hours and has already surpassed every NFL, MLB, and NHL team. With the prospect of a Ronaldo arrival on the horizon, the MLS is positioning itself as a destination for the world’s top soccer talent, signaling a new era of growth and excitement for American soccer fans where soccer can compete as a premier sport in the United States.
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