The Global Impact Of Inter Miami & Messi
- Jul 3, 2025
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the definitive players for any Gen Z or Millennial football fan. Even the mention of one without the other can kickstart a debate. Although the early to mid-2010s is when both of these megastars were at their peak, and they’ve since made way for a new wave of elite footballing talent, as they both enter the final years of their career, they remain two of the most recognizable faces in sport.
Tapping Into The Biggest Global Market
Although football is by far the most popular sport in the world, there’s still plenty of growth potential in the US market. We’ve witnessed how the changing fortunes of an industry, especially in the US, have the potential to kickstart a new level of possibilities. Online casino gaming in the US has gone from being a fraction of the global market to spearheading the latest innovations and attracting some of the world’s most profitable companies to US shores.
Granted, this has been a result of several factors, including smartphones and devices that now have the capability and bandwidth to host casino gaming more effectively, with online roulette now a substantial market in the US. As more casino companies seek to capture a share of the US market, the demand for online roulette games continues to grow among those looking to play.
Casino gaming companies have been leveraging the power of the internet and social media for over a decade. However, with more of them turning to social media juggernauts like Instagram to promote their games to a broader audience, as shown in the link below, it’s up to sports and other areas of entertainment to adapt their market to a digital global audience as well.
It’s this ethos that the MLS is looking to capture, and while it isn’t the first time an MLS franchise has broken the bank to bring in one of the most high-profile names in the sport, Lionel Messi, for many, is the best player to have ever played the game. So, even in the twilight of his career, it’s a huge scalp, which has transformed US soccer in many ways, and it highlights how the MLS is looking to a much broader audience to increase its visibility in the global footballing market.
Messi’s Endearing Magic
Those who are well-versed in the world of the MLS are well-versed in the global attention that Lionel Messi brings to the league. Likewise, Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact in the Saudi Pro League has helped to bring the fortunes of that domestic league to a new level, too. His recent contract extension, worth close to half a billion dollars, yet not without its detractors, showcases how the Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era, even in its dying embers, still generates enormous online engagement.
While Messi has yet to commit his future to Inter Miami in the same manner, some in the footballing world view this as a bargaining chip to secure a better contract from his current employers. Here are some quickfire stats which showcase just how profound the global impact of Messi’s signing was on the Inter Miami brand:
The Instagram account exploded from 1 million followers to over 15 million.
In 2023, Messi’s Inter Miami jersey became the best-selling out of any sport in the US.
His arrival transformed Miami into a global sporting hub, shifting the focus away from the traditional activities most closely associated with the city.
The arrival of Messi and his teammates Suarez shifted the focus away from the MLS as a “retirement league” and a league that professionals still look toward when they still have a few solid years left.
Exploring The Future Of MLS Player Signings
Lionel Messi might be the figurehead for MLS marketing at the moment. Still, as he draws to the end of a glittering career, there are already other franchises looking to follow the exact blueprint and get a marquee name through the door. After Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, though, few players can capture a casual sporting audience, particularly in the US.
In addition to selecting the right player to take MLS marketing in a fresh direction, there’s also the competition from the top European leagues, which often attract the best players due to the overall quality of the competition. Other competitor leagues, such as the Saudi Pro League, can offer wages and merchandising that surpass those of the MLS by a country mile.
There’s also the potential for the European Super League, which was initially met with widespread criticism back in 2021. If the billionaire owners of the top European clubs seek to reshape the European domestic game, this could pave the way for a different dynamic and position that allows challenger leagues like the MLS to take advantage on a global stage.