MLS commissioner says Messi jerseys are ‘best-selling across all sports’.
Messi created shock waves throughout world football, when he moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami on a free transfer last July. Despite the opportunity to join Saudi Arabia for big money and an emotional return to Barcelona.
That doesn’t mean the eight Ballon d’Or winner isn’t being deservedly rewarded at the David Beckham-backed franchise. Accordingly, Messi will earn 150 million USD in 2 and a half years of contract – but the true value he brings is a lot to investors.
Since Messi’s arrival to MLS, Inter Miami has filled the 21,550-seat Chase Stadium, while MLS Season Pass registrations increased nearly 2,000% overnight when news broke that Messi had signed with the MLS. Florida Club. In particular, the 2022 World Cup champion’s jersey is also sold out.
“Adidas will soon announce that Lionel Messi’s jersey is their number one in any sport,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber told The Athletic .
Messi is worth the money spent
Messi’s on-field performance has so far been maintained. The Argentine captain led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title last August and although the club missed out on the MLS Play Offs, they still top the overall rankings this season.
Messi has 16 goals and 7 assists in 19 games in all competitions so far, at a rate of scoring a direct goal every 66 minutes he plays, and is still valued at 28.3 million Euros according to the law. FootballTransfers’ internal math, even though he is 36 years old.
A significant proportion of Messi’s above-mentioned income comes from the 10-year contract worth $2.5 billion that MLS signed with Apple in 2023.
Garber continued: “The agreement with Apple gives us the platform to be able to capitalize, through technology, on a growing international market that has interest in some of our teams and some our players”.
Messi may have arrived at Inter Miami alongside former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, but it’s clear that El Pulga is the driving force behind MLS’s future success.
