The addition of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami is a game-changer for MLS, elevating its global reputation, increasing fanbase, and revenue while earning Messi a cut of Apple TV subscriptions.
This move is expected to have a similar impact as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival, particularly in Europe, attracting more players and investors to the league.
It is highly likely that Messi has negotiated an ownership clause to enable him to purchase an MLS expansion team for $25 million. He has refused to return to Barcelona and rejected a $300 million offer from the Saudi team al-Hilal, opting instead for Inter Miami, a half-billion-dollar team.
The CEO of Whitecaps acknowledges Messi’s arrival as a significant boost for fans, teams, and investors of MLS. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the quality of play and how players around Messi will perform, enhancing the league’s reputation. Fans had hoped to see Messi play in Vancouver, but it is unlikely unless Inter Miami and Caps reach the exhibition tournament’s final in August.
Currently, Miami has not played Western conference teams such as St. Louis, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, and the Colorado Rapids, while the Caps have not played against Florida opposition for a while. However, Messi’s arrival could change that.
