Lionel Messi’s move to Miami is a rumor that has persisted for several months, but nobody really believed it outside of Florida. And yet it is becoming a reality.
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We no longer doubt his arrival, Commissioner Don Garber hailed him on Twitter on Thursday.
According to TycSports, the man, nicknamed La Pulga (The Flea), will sign a three-year deal with an option to leave after two years.
But it’s the contract terms that are incredible. First, the salary is $54 million (CA$72.2 million) per season, easily the highest in Garber circuit history.
Messi’s arrival is so important for MLS that kit manufacturer Adidas, who make all the league’s kits, and broadcaster Apple will pay him royalties. Apple will produce a documentary series and Messi should also have a clause allowing him to invest in a team at the end of his career.
It’s a great marketing move for MLS. It’s the modern equivalent of Pelé’s appearance at the now-defunct NASL’s New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
Among the greats
It’s probably no coincidence that Messi ends up at Inter Miami CF, David Beckham’s team. It must be remembered that the Englishman was the first big star on the circuit when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
His arrival changed the economic rules of MLS with the introduction of the Designated Player concept, which only counts a fixed portion of salary within the salary cap.
Messi joins a number of international stars who have kicked the ball in MLS over the past 15 years.
Let’s start from a small list: Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, Gonzalo Higuain, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka and Lorenzo Insigne.
Immediate effect
Ticket sales suffered. For example, the price of the cheapest tickets for the July 21 Inter game, when he could make his first appearance, has risen from $29 to $476.
According to the company Logistix, four times as many tickets were traded on the resale market in the 24 hours after the announcement.
Average ticket prices for Inter Miami home games increased from $15 to $213 (+1398%) and for matches abroad where tickets would no longer be available from $53 to $251 (+374%).
The effect can also be felt on social networks. Inter Miami’s Instagram account has grown from one follower to 4.5 million in less than 24 hours, while Paris Saint-Germain’s, which he is leaving, has lost more than two million followers in the same period.
patience
Montreal fans who want to see Messi play need to be patient…or take a little trip.
Miami and CF Montreal have already played their two games this season. So it would take a hypothetical home game in the playoffs to see Messi in the metropolis.
There is also a small chance if both teams manage to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.
This is a new competition that will take place this summer, pitting teams from the MLS against those from the Liga MX, Mexico’s top division.
big decision
Messi could have made a fortune with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabian league.
The Saudis were ready to roll out the red carpet for him to join the Al Hilal club. There was talk of a final offer of €1.6 billion (C$2.3 billion) for three seasons.
His favorite club FC Barcelona were also in the running but were unable to offer him a deal that met his expectations, prompting a somewhat angry, even mean, statement from the club. Catalan when he made his decision was made public.
“President Joan Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to develop in a league that is less demanding and less media-friendly, which will put less pressure on the player than in recent seasons.”