When did Messi join Inter Miami? How much did Inter Miami pay for Messi
Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, surprised the world when he decided to join Inter Miami, a club in the American Major League Soccer (MLS). After many years of playing for top European clubs, especially Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain, Messi chose to move to the United States to play, opening a new chapter in his illustrious career. This decision not only resonated in the sports world but also created a strong ripple effect in the fan community around the world, as many people were curious about the reason and specific time that Messi would wear the Inter Miami shirt. So when did Messi join Inter Miami? How much did Inter Miami pay for Messi? Let’s find out the answer with experts kingsoccertips.com in the following article!
When did Messi join Inter Miami?
Lionel Messi officially joined Inter Miami in July 2023, marking a major turning point in the Argentine player’s career. After ending his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was faced with many options, including the opportunity to return to Barcelona or move to play in Saudi Arabia. However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to choose Inter Miami, a club in the US Major League Soccer (MLS). This decision caused a big surprise in the global sports world and opened a new chapter in Messi’s journey.
Messi’s choice of Inter Miami is not simply a professional decision but also a big step forward in building his image and developing football in North America. As soon as the news that Messi would move to Inter Miami was confirmed, both MLS and American football received great attention from the fan community around the world. This is also the first time Messi has played outside of Europe since starting his professional career, and this opens up many expectations about how he will adapt and shine in a completely new football environment.
For Messi, choosing Inter Miami was not only about the financial aspect but also the right decision for his family. In interviews after joining, Messi shared that he wanted to create a stable life for his family in the US and enjoy a more comfortable life after years of intense competition in Europe. This was also an opportunity for him to spend more time with his family while continuing to pursue his passion for football.
Messi’s presence at Inter Miami created an unprecedented wave of passionate fans in MLS. Inter Miami matches quickly sold out and the club’s social media following skyrocketed. Keywords such as When did Messi join Inter Miami? or is Messi playing tonight Inter Miami also increased sharply on the internet. Analysts believe that Messi’s presence will help improve the quality and appeal of the tournament, attract more international stars and contribute to the development of football in the US in the future.
It can be said that Messi’s joining Inter Miami is not only a turning point in his career but also an event that marks a new chapter for world football, when the biggest stars are no longer limited to European tournaments but have begun to expand their influence globally. Messi’s story at Inter Miami promises to bring many emotions and create new appeal for American football, while affirming his position in the international football world.
How much did inter miami pay for Messi?
How much did Inter Miami pay for Messi is certainly a question that many people are interested in today. Accordingly, Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi with a remarkable salary, but not entirely based on high fixed salaries like in Europe or other rich leagues. According to reports, instead of paying a large fixed amount, Inter Miami offered a special benefits package that includes a portion of revenue from major sponsors such as Apple and Adidas, important partners of the American Major League Soccer (MLS). This helps Messi earn tens of millions of dollars per year, even higher than what he received at Paris Saint-Germain, thanks to bonuses and income from related sponsorship sources.
Specifically, Apple, MLS’s broadcasting partner, has agreed to share a portion of revenue from MLS Season Pass subscription packages with Messi. This means that with Messi’s presence, if subscription sales increase, he will benefit from this growth. In addition, Adidas, a major sponsor of both MLS and Messi, has also offered to increase bonuses related to Messi’s branded products, significantly increasing his income. Thanks to this flexible contract package, Inter Miami has managed to pay Messi a competitive salary without having to rely too much on the club’s salary fund.
Instead of pursuing hundreds of millions of dollars in salary from Saudi Arabian clubs, Messi chose Inter Miami for reasons that were not only related to finance. He also saw this as an opportunity to build his personal brand in the North American market. With the revenue share from Apple and Adidas, Messi not only earned a large amount of money but also increased his ability to spread his image and brand in the US. This is a benefit that many soccer stars do not have when coming to MLS, showing that Messi has a special influence and is highly appreciated in the eyes of partners.
This contract package is considered smart and different, as it helps Messi attract additional revenue from outside sources without putting financial pressure on Inter Miami. This model can also create a precedent for other soccer stars when considering playing in the US. With this flexible contract, Messi is not only a player for Inter Miami but also an icon attracting media and fans around the world, helping to increase the appeal and value of the MLS tournament in the long term.
How many games has Messi played for Inter Miami?
Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Lionel Messi has played a total of 13 matches for the club, including the Leagues Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS), and the U.S. Open Cup. Here are the details of his appearances and contributions in each tournament:
1. Leagues Cup 2023:
- Debut and goals: Messi made his Inter Miami debut on July 21, 2023 in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul. In his first match, he scored the winning goal from a last-minute free kick, making for a spectacular debut. Messi then continued to shine with a series of goals in the following matches of the tournament.
- Games and achievements: Messi played 7 matches in the Leagues Cup and scored a total of 10 goals. With his excellent performance, he not only led Inter Miami to overcome their opponents but also helped the team win the first Leagues Cup in the club’s history. Messi received the Top Scorer and Best Player awards of the tournament.
2. Major League Soccer (MLS):
- First matches and important contributions: After winning the Leagues Cup, Messi started playing for Inter Miami in MLS. He played his first match in MLS on August 26, 2023, against New York Red Bulls and continued to impress with a goal. Messi has appeared in 4 matches in MLS, where he played an important role in raising the team’s spirit and quality of play.
- Injuries and impact: However, some of Messi’s matches in MLS were interrupted by injuries. This affected his number of appearances and Inter Miami could not maintain high performance without Messi on the field.
3. U.S. Open Cup:
- Highlights and the journey to the final: In addition to the Leagues Cup and MLS, Messi also participated in the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout tournament of American football. He played 2 matches for Inter Miami in this tournament and played an important role in bringing the team to the final. Messi contributed to Inter Miami’s victory over FC Cincinnati in the semi-final on penalties, helping the team advance to the final.
- Absent in the final: Unfortunately, Messi could not play in the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo due to injury. His absence was a big loss and Inter Miami lost the match 1-2, missing the opportunity to win another title.
Summary
So, above we have helped you know when did Messi join Inter Miami? Lionel Messi’s joining Inter Miami not only marked a turning point in his career but also an important milestone for American football in general and MLS in particular. Messi’s presence has not only improved the professional quality of Inter Miami but also created a strong wave of fans, helping this tournament receive great attention from global fans. With his talent and influence, Messi is not only the shining star of the team but also a decisive factor in raising the level of football in North America. Surely, Messi’s journey at Inter Miami will bring many memorable memories and contribute to the development of football in the region in the coming years!
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