The Lionel Messi effect has hit Inter Miami.
According to Forbes, the price of tickets for home games skyrocketed after Messi’s move to Inter Miami. After his return to FC Barcelona fell through, Messi chose to wear the jersey of the American Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami. The team is owned by superstar David Beckham.
Messi will make his Inter Miami debut in the team’s MLS League Cup home match against Cruz Azul on July 21 at DRV PNK Stadium in Miami. Initially, the cheapest tickets for the match were $29, but they jumped to $459 after Messi’s signing was announced. According to Forbes, “the price of a ticket to Messi’s first game has jumped more than 1,000 times.”
Additionally, a $30 ticket to the August 26 match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in New York City, which is expected to be Messi’s first MLS game, went for $512.
Ticket prices for other teams did the same. A Sept. 3 match between Inter and last season’s MLS champion LAFC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles has the cheapest $81 ticket selling for $599.
Miami’s average ticket price has also skyrocketed. At the start of the season, the average was $152, and now it’s $935, a 515% jump. The arrival of Messi has created excitement throughout MLS, and the “Messi effect” is in full swing.스포츠토토
Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends at the end of the month. He refused to renew his contract and was linked with a move to Barcelona. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal pushed for his signature, offering a whopping €400 million in annual wages. However, Messi rejected the offer and moved to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami promised him €50 million a year. In exchange, Messi’s sponsors, including Adidas, and MLS sponsors would share in the revenue.