In a stunning development in the world of football, Lionel Messi has announced his signing with Inter Miami, passing up a staggering $1.5 billion offer from Saudi Arabia.
A Strategic Decision Amid Tempting Offers
What factors could have possibly influenced Messi to refuse such a generous package from the Middle East? According to a report by The Athletic, Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami comes with significant benefits:
An opportunity to profit from subscriptions to Apple’s streaming service, MLS Season Pass. This comes in the wake of Apple and the MLS recently entering into a $2.5 billion agreement for ten years.
An option to purchase shares in Inter Miami upon retirement, a move reminiscent of David Beckham.
A share in profits from Adidas, the official sponsor of Argentina as well.
This will undoubtedly be a significant blow to Saudi Arabia, who appeared fully committed to securing Messi’s signature.
The Bigger Picture Beyond Football
Messi’s move, along with Ronaldo’s signing, indicates that there is more at play here than just football. This latest development may very well be reflective of larger global trends.
The Middle East is steadily emerging as a significant player on the global stage, with ample resources to compete with the U.S. Messi’s decision to reject the Saudi offer could be seen as an acknowledgement of this growing influence, but also a demonstration of the continued attraction and power of U.S.-based sports franchises.
It is reasonable to expect that this is just the beginning of the Middle East’s participation on the global sports stage and beyond.
Messi: A Genius in and Out of the Pitch
Lionel Messi’s choice to sign with Inter Miami could be considered a strategic masterpiece, underscoring his genius not only on the pitch but also in business and personal branding. By making a decision that goes beyond the immediate lucrative appeal, Messi seems to be investing in long-term benefits and strategic growth, in much the same way he has crafted his illustrious football career.
Ownership of Inter Miami
Inter Miami CF is owned by Miami Freedom Park LLC, an ownership group that was originally formed as Miami Beckham United in 2013. The founding members of the group were Marcelo Claure, a Miami-based Bolivian businessman, and English football legend, David Beckham. They were later joined by Masayoshi Son and the Mas brothers, Jorge and Jose, in 2017. This move was the fruition of an option that Beckham negotiated to own an expansion team at a discounted franchise fee when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007. On September 17, 2021, Beckham and the Mas brothers bought out Claure and Son’s stakes in the ownership group, with Ares Management also being added to the group.
Club History: Inter Miami and Messi
Inter Miami CF, or Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, was established in 2018 and began playing in the Eastern Conference of the MLS during the 2020 season. The club’s creation marked a successful renewal of interest by the MLS in Miami, following the folding of Miami Fusion after the 2001 season and a failed expansion bid in 2009. Beckham’s involvement was key in bringing the club to life, utilizing an option he had secured to purchase an expansion team at a price of $25 million when he joined the league in 2007.
Beckham’s group underwent several proposals for a stadium in downtown Miami before securing the necessary financing and approval. After its initial proposals fell through, it wasn’t until 2018, four years after the initial announcement, that the group was awarded the twenty-fifth MLS franchise. The team’s ownership group was later renamed Miami Freedom Park LLC and, on September 5, 2018, the club’s official name, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (Inter Miami CF), was announced. Despite a series of highs and lows, including a violation of team rules during the 2020 season, the club has attracted major players and continues to play a significant role in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps the biggest landmark move of the club is the contents of this very article, Lionel Messi joined the club in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, rejecting significant offers from other clubs.
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