Inter Miami, co-owned by Sir David Beckham, secured the MLS Cup by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, capping a rapid and historic rise for the franchise.
The club, launched in 2018, saw its fortunes—and those of the league—fundamentally transformed by the 2023 signing of Lionel Messi.
The ‘Messi Effect’ in Numbers:
- Financial Surge: Annual club revenue grew from £41 million in 2022 to £160 million in 2024.
- Audience Boost: Social media following increased from 2 million to 50 million. MLS Season Pass subscriptions on Apple TV doubled after Messi’s debut.
- Ticket Prices: Average ticket prices for Miami games soared from about £40 to £150-£200.
Beckham celebrated the victory, stating, “I always believed in Miami. It says Freedom to Dream on our shirts and we promised our fans we would deliver.”
Chief Business Officer Xavi Asensi called the success a “wonderful miracle,” noting that Messi’s arrival made them a club “everybody knew.”
The club, which also won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield, is now preparing for its move to the new Miami Freedom Park stadium, with projected annual income expected to surpass a quarter of a billion dollars.
