The Messi Effect: 10 Incredible Stats That Highlight His MLS Impact

Despite Lionel Messi’s exorbitant record-breaking salary, he tends to earn teams more than he costs in the long run. Since signing with Inter Miami CF in July 2023, the profits have been flying in. 

It’s worth noting Inter Miami is reportedly paying Messi $54 million. Consider that the next highest paid MLS star is Xherdan Shaqiri at Chicago Fire for $8,153,000. That means Messi makes 562% more than the second highest paid player in MLS. 

Will the club get a return on their investment? Here are ten statistics that demonstrate the money he brings in – not just for Miami, but for anyone trying to get a piece of the commercial pie of Messi.

1. Messi's pink Inter Miami jersey was the top-selling jersey across all sports in the entire world from July 17th to July 20th.

    

2. Since Messi’s signing, subscriptions to MLS Season Pass, the exclusive broadcaster of matches owned by Apple TV+, have more than doubled. 
   

    

3. When news of Miami’s deal with Messi broke, Google searches for Inter Miami CF increased by more than 1,200% in 24 hours. 
   

    

4. An official partner of Messi, adidas forecast the partnership to boost company shares by 30 percent.
   

    

5. Single-game tickets in the MLS have surged by 1700% in price since Messi signed. 
   

    

6. Tickets sold out in 8 minutes for Inter Miami versus Philadelphia, the fastest ever for a regular season MLS game. 
   

    

7. Following a match with Dallas, “Dallas vs Inter Miami” was the top trending Google search in the entire world for 24 hours.
   

    

8. Messi is now the second most followed account on Instagram, having amassed over 430 million followers.
   

    

9. What's more, since signing Messi, Inter Miami CF grew to be the third most followed U.S. sports team on Instagram. Before, it wasn’t even in the top 25.
   

    

10. Messi scored 11 goals in his 11 first appearances for Inter Miami, showing his value not just as a persona but as a player. 

It’s clear since Messi joined Miami, American interest in soccer – and the interest of soccer fans abroad in the MLS – has surged. And it’s not going anywhere. That’s the Messi effect.