How Messi Created an Empire for Inter Miami and MLS?
Messi has taken Inter Miami to the last 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ from a place where no one believed they could do such a miracle. This is another convincing proof of the role and stature of the Argentine star. He has not only promoted the team in terms of sport , but also helped the team achieve great commercial success. The entire MLS league in the US, including other clubs, has also benefited, the US-based AS emphasized.
Messi is preparing to play PSG with Inter Miami in the Club World Cup round of 16, in an exciting match taking place at 11pm on June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (Vietnam time).
Photo: Reuters
"Under Messi, Inter Miami's value has more than doubled: from $500 million to $1.19 billion (about 31,132 billion VND) by early 2025. It is the second most valuable club in MLS. The club's annual revenue has increased by 263%, from $55 million in 2022 to $200 million in 2024 and has always sold out, including season tickets, before the start of each season.
In 2025, their revenue is expected to increase to more than 350 million USD (about 9,140 billion VND). Of which, the achievement of reaching the round of 16 of the Club World Cup contributes significantly, when Inter Miami has received a total bonus of up to 21.05 million USD (more than 551 billion VND)", AS said.
Inter Miami’s meteoric rise has helped co-owners David Beckham, who also serves as president of the club, and billionaire brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, push forward with the club’s expansion strategy. They have built the $1 billion Miami Freedom Park complex, which includes a 25,000-capacity stadium, public parks, community sports fields, shopping and dining areas, offices, hotels and entertainment venues. The Miami Freedom Park complex is set to open in early 2026 and is currently causing a stir in the global football world.
David Beckham excited about the new Miami Freedom Park stadium that is about to be completed
Photo: David Beckham/instagram
Economically , Messi’s presence is also a gold mine that all MLS clubs are taking advantage of. MLS revenue is estimated to have increased by 27% last season. Major brands such as Apple and Adidas have seen a significant increase in their shares and subscriptions. Of which, Apple TV+ alone with the MLS Season Pass program has had 300,000 new subscribers, according to AS .
Thanks to Messi, stadium attendance in the US reached an all-time record of more than 11.4 million viewers in the 2023-2024 season. His No. 10 jersey was the best-selling shirt of the tournament and merchandise sales increased by 41%.
Messi’s impact also helped clubs hosting Inter Miami, generating an additional $84 million in ticket sales. MLS’s average ticket price also increased by 1,700%, with ticket sales reaching $265 million. In other words, Messi is nothing short of a gold mine, AS said.
On the other hand, Messi has also attracted a number of celebrities to watch MLS matches, artists, influencers and global figures have all come to the VIP area of Inter Miami to watch football. Such as Floyd Mayweather, Eva Longoria, Gloria Estefan, Kim Kardashian, LeBron James, Marc Anthony, Will Smith and countless others. Recently, actor Brad Pitt, who just released a sports movie about F1 (Formula 1 racing), also talked about Messi with great admiration.
Messi helped Inter Miami make history
Photo: Reuters
The marketing power of Inter Miami and MLS since Messi is here is undeniable, AS asserted and said: "This relationship will last at least two more years until 2027. Americans will not easily give up a gold mine like Messi."
Ronaldo received unbelievable benefits, but how are the Saudi Pro League and Al Nassr Club?
Ronaldo has just officially signed a contract extension with Al Nassr until June 2027. The 40-year-old Portuguese star will play until he is 42. He currently needs to score 44 more goals to reach the milestone of 1,000 goals in his career. Besides, he is nurturing the dream of winning the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo has just officially signed a contract extension with Al Nassr until June 2027
Photo: Reuters
To stay at Al Nassr, Ronaldo declared: "This chapter is over", "turned the car" because the team's leadership accepted his demands, which were to reform the entire team, fire the coach and those who were not suitable for him. Ensure that next season the team must win at least 1 championship.
According to British newspapers, Sun Sport and Daily Mail , Ronaldo agreed to stay at Al Nassr partly because he would receive huge benefits for himself, including an estimated salary of up to 228 million USD/year (about 5,959 billion VND). He also received up to 15% ownership of Al Nassr Club, worth about 45 million USD. The signing bonus is 33.6 million USD - increasing to 52.2 million USD if he activates the second year of the contract.
In addition, other incentives for helping Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League or the top scorer award are also rewarded with an additional 10 million USD and 5 million USD respectively. Each goal Ronaldo scores is also rewarded with about 110,000 USD, and an assist is 55,000 USD.
Ronaldo has full authority over Al Nassr's squad. The latest victim is striker Jhon Duran (bought for $80 million from Aston Villa in January this year), who is about to move to Fenerbahce in Turkey on loan.
It is unclear who Ronaldo will choose as Al Nassr's new coach and which stars he will buy to play next season, as many of the current players are about to leave.
In his three seasons with Al Nassr, Ronaldo did not help the club win any official championship titles. The highest attendance was 25,490 for the match between Al Nassr and Al Hilal in November 2024, with an average of only 16,828 viewers per match. Meanwhile, the entire Saudi Pro League last season had only about 1.3 million viewers, with an average of only 8,081 viewers per match.
The revenue of the Saudi Pro League and Al Nassr depends largely on the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds the majority of shares and investments in the league, and the clubs it owns, including Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-tao-nen-mot-de-che-cho-inter-miami-va-mls-ronaldo-nhan-hau-dai-khong-tuong-18525062709412227.htm
Comment (0)