With a resounding reputation around the world, superstar Lionel Messi helped the value of the Inter Miami team skyrocket in less than a year.
Saying goodbye to PSG, Messi decided to join Inter Miami of the American Professional League (MLS) in July 2023. The appearance of the owner of 8 world Golden Balls immediately helped Inter Miami attract millions of more fans.
The 2022 World Cup champion then played impressively, helping the team co-owned by former football player David Beckham win the first title in history with the Leagues Cup.
Before coming to MLS, in addition to winning the 2022 World Cup, the 37-year-old striker also won the 2021 Copa America with Argentina. He also has 4 Champions League, 10 La Liga with Barca and 2 Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
Thanks to the charisma of the former Barcelona captain, it also helped Inter Miami successfully recruit three other big names: Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
“Messi helped Inter Miami change its life in just five weeks,” said owner Beckham after the team won the Leagues Cup in August 2023.
Up to now, Inter Miami’s value has increased 74% compared to when it did not own Messi, to 1.023 billion USD. Co-President Beckham’s team rose 7 places on the list of MLS’s most valuable teams, just behind Los Angeles FC and Atlanta United.
Beckham left Real Madrid to join LA Galaxy of MLS in 2007. The British player then had to accept a salary reduction from 21 million USD to 6.9 million per year. However, the transfer gave Beckham the opportunity to create his own team when he retired and was awarded a spot in MLS for only $25 million.
The only obstacle for Beckham is not being able to establish a football team in New York. Finally, the Man Utd legend chose to found Inter Miami with American billionaire Jorge Mas in 2018.
Messi and his teammates at Inter Miami are playing impressively this season. They are leading the MLS eastern table with three wins, one draw and one loss. Inter Miami also entered the quarterfinals of the C1 Cup in the CONCACAF region, after defeating Nashville 5-3 in the end.
