MLS, Once Unpopular, Sees Economic Value Increase by 4 Trillion Won
Inter Miami's Revenue Rises with Increased Uniform Sales
Club Faces Dilemma as Messi's Contract Ends Next Season
Anticipation Grows for 2026 North America World Cup Effect
At Chase Stadium in Florida, USA, on the 15th, 'soccer god' Lionel Messi made an appearance during the soccer match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union. He had made a spectacular comeback after a two-month break due to an injury sustained during the final of the '2024 South American Football Championship (Copa America)' held in Colombia last July. Upon his return, he scored multiple goals and provided one assist in his comeback game, prompting cheers from soccer fans.
On the 18th, at the stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Lionel Messi (right in the photo) is shooting during the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
Messi has been a figure who has shaken Major League Soccer (MLS), the professional soccer league in the United States, over the past year. Thanks to Messi, the soccer industry in the U.S., which had been overshadowed by American football, baseball, and basketball, has shown rapid growth. Bloomberg recently reported that Messi has sparked a boom in the U.S. soccer industry, and there are concerns that the market might stagnate after his retirement following next season, prompting efforts to find solutions.
Messi signed with Inter Miami in June last year and will play in the MLS through the 2025 season. At the time of signing, Messi had just finished the 2023 season with Paris Saint-Germain (France), and it was widely expected that he would move to Saudi Arabia, which offered a huge contract. However, factors such as proximity to his hometown Argentina and receiving a portion of the revenue from Apple TV+, which holds MLS broadcasting rights for 10 years, reportedly influenced his decision to move to the U.S.
MLS is literally making a fortune thanks to Messi's arrival. Every game Messi plays sells out, and the number of soccer fans attending matches continues to increase. The total value of soccer teams within MLS has risen by $3.2 billion (approximately 4.3 trillion KRW). Even games without Messi have seen increased attendance.
In particular, the value of Inter Miami is expected to soar to $2 billion by the end of next year, more than tripling since 2022. Jorge Mas, owner of Inter Miami, told Bloomberg that the club's revenue has surged about fourfold to $200 million, and sales of pink jerseys bearing Messi's name have increased to one of the highest levels worldwide. Inter Miami is estimated to earn $55 million through sponsorship deals with dozens of brands. Mas explained that the club has made a profit even after paying Messi's salary and bonuses.
The social media followers of Inter Miami also doubled within 24 hours of the news of Messi's signing, significantly expanding its influence. SSRS, a U.S.-based survey research organization, reported that in February, Messi was ranked the number one favorite sports player among Americans, marking the first time a soccer player topped the list since the survey began.
The U.S. soccer industry is now focusing on the period after Messi's contract ends next season. In the 1970s, Brazilian soccer player Pel? played in the U.S. soccer league, and in 2007, British soccer player David Beckham did the same. Since then, soccer stars such as Thierry Henry (France), Wayne Rooney (UK), and Zlatan Ibrahimovi? (Sweden) have played in U.S. soccer stadiums, but the popularity was short-lived and the atmosphere cooled down.
The industry expects that with the FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in June 2026, the U.S. soccer league will continue its growth even without Messi. However, Bloomberg reported that while Inter Miami hopes to extend its contract with Messi, it is also looking for other soccer players from South America, the U.S., and Europe as a contingency plan.
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