Lionel Messi To MLS: David Beckham And The Deals That Made It Happen

Highlights

• Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami in the MLS is considered the most significant signing in the league's history, boosting its popularity and viewership.
• David Beckham played an instrumental role in bringing Messi to Inter Miami, making contact with him in 2019 and seizing the opportunity when Messi became a free agent.
• To secure Messi's services, Inter Miami and MLS negotiated unprecedented deals with Apple TV+ and Adidas, including revenue-sharing agreements and a portion of the proceeds from new subscribers and merchandise sales.

News of Lionel Messi's decision to leave Europe, the grand stage of soccer, and move to America and ply his trade broke on June 7, 2023.

The Rosario-born Argentine soccer superstar moved to Europe from his home continent of South America at the age of 13, to sign with Spanish outfit FC Barcelona. Messi quickly rose through the ranks at Barcelona, playing in the youth teams before making his professional debut in October 2004.

He won a cabinet full of trophies and individual accolades before moving to France to play with Paris Saint-Germain. After two years in France, he made the decision to move to Major League Soccer (MLS) and play for David Beckham's Inter Miami team.

Messi's move to Inter Miami is without question the most significant signing in MLS history. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time; his arrival in the United States boosted the league's popularity and profile, and the league's viewership went through the roof.

David & Victoria Beckham Abandon Mansion Over Traffic Noise

David Beckham's Role

David Beckham acquired Inter Miami as part of the deal he made with the league's association. He co-owns the team with brothers Jorge and Jan Mas and has been instrumental in building the club into a competitive force.

Beckham has always been vocal about bringing in top players from Europe to MLS, and first made contact with Lionel Messi in 2019 (when the latter was still in Spain). Following Lionel Messi's contract expiration in the summer of 2023, Beckham saw an opportunity to snap up the World Cup winner as a free agent and quickly pounced on it.

Beckham's offer was not without competition, as he had to contend with cash-splashing Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who offered the Argentinian a deal worth $1.5 billion. Lionel Messi, however rejected the offer, instead opting to sign with David Beckham's Inter Miami.

Here's How Lionel Messi Earns And Spends His $600 Million Fortune

Apple TV+ And Adidas Deals

Inter Miami and MLS understood that they needed to exceed the norm to secure the services of one of the greatest football players the world has ever witnessed. Messi signed a two and a half year contract with Inter Miami; the deal is worth over $150 million and includes his salary, signing bonus, and equity in the team.

This deal is just the tip of the iceberg for the player; the $150 million is just the fee he receives for turning up to play for the club every game day. In addition to his salary, revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple, and others were negotiated with Lionel Messi's team, an unprecedented deal.

In 2023, Apple TV+ signed a media partnership with MLS worth over $2 billion. Aware of the entertainment value Lionel Messi will bring to the league which would mean more subscribers not just from America but from all over the world, Apple TV+ signed a deal with Messi to pay him a portion of the proceeds from new subscribers.

Apple TV gained over 30,000 viewers since the Argentinian joined Inter Miami, resulting in a $30 million boost in their revenue. Lionel Messi also put pen on paper to sign a profit share contract with Adidas, the official kit supplier, and the player's sponsor since 2004.

The deal will see the German sportswear company share a portion of the profits they get from merchandise sales in MLS with Messi. The agreement is massively profitable as Adidas provides kits for all 29 soccer teams in the MLS; they also have over 3000 stores in the United States where fans can walk in and buy their favorite team's merchandise.

[Report] Brooklyn Nets Star Kevin Durant Purchases Stake In Philadelphia Union MLS Club

Twenty-four hours after the official announcement of this arrival, Messi set a new record for shirt sales worldwide, beating a previous record set by Cristiano Ronaldo; within a fortnight, Adidas ran out of stock. Inter Miami adding Lionel Messi to their ranks marks a revolutionary step, particularly as the nation is set to host the 2026 soccer World Cup. America aspires to unite its citizens through the beautiful game, with Messi leading this cultural revolution.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEq6CcoJWowW%2BvzqZmpaGfo7KtecyeqqyhXam8brnLrGSdmaaesW6uxJyioZmdYq6vsIytn55llJqurb%2BMrZ%2BarF2irqWxjKKrZqCRpb2muo4%3D