Major League Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I plotted to get Messi for 10 years, him signing felt as good as walking out at Old Trafford, says David Beckham

      by

      LIONEL MESSI signing for Inter Miami felt as good as walking out at Old Trafford, admits David Beckham.Golden Balls finally secured the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s signature earlier this summer after a decade of plotting.
      Lionel Messi has had an amazing start to life at Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
      Beckham has watched Messi’s alongside wife VictoriaCredit: Getty
      Golden Balls spent a decade planning to recruit the Argentine maestroCredit: AFP
      Messi, 36, has instantly looked right at home in the US – scoring three times in his opening two matches and playing with a constant smile on his face.
      He marked his debut with a stunning last minute free-kick winner that grabbed America’s attention and left Beckham in tears.
      His incredible arrival has marked the culmination of a long journey for Becks and co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas.
      “I never thought I would have the same feeling as an owner as I had when I was a player,” Beckham told The Athletic.
      Read More Football Stories
      “When I got the phone call, I had the feeling I had when I walked out at Old Trafford or Wembley. I was like, ‘We’ve just beaten all competition to sign the greatest player to ever play our game’.”
      Messi announced in early June that he’d be joining the MLS side, snubbing an even more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in the process.
      Beckham, 48, was in Japan with ex-Spice Girl wife Victoria at the time, and could scarcely believe that a decade of planning had come to fruition.
      He said: “I was in Japan with the family and woke up at 5am because my phone kept vibrating. My wife was like, ‘Really?! Turn your phone off!’. I look on my phone and I’m like, ‘What’s happened? Something’s happened!’.
      Most read in Football
      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      Beckham spent many years excelling at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      Messi was unveiled at Inter Miami earlier this monthCredit: Getty
      Beckham had tears of joy in his eyes after Messi’s last-gasp debut winner
      “I put my glasses on and I’m like, ‘Leo’s coming! It’s done! He has announced it!’. My wife was like, ‘What do you mean he has announced it?’. I said, ‘He has gone on TV and said he’s coming to Inter Miami!’. I get goosebumps talking about it.”
      Beckham left European football aged 32 in 2007, departing Real Madrid for a new life in Los Angeles with LA Galaxy.
      The deal included a $25million (£19.5m) option to buy an MLS expansion franchise of his own, anywhere outside of New York.
      He began working on his Inter Miami vision the day after hanging up his boots in 2014, with Messi never far from his mind.
      Becks revealed: “It all came from a conversation over a glass of wine at dinner.
      “I turn to Jorge and say, ‘One day, we need Messi to come to our club’. It was probably when we first met. I actually found on my phone the other day one of the first presentations that (advertising agency) Doubleday & Cartwright did — they mocked up one of the jerseys with the logo on and Leo was wearing it.
      “That was 10 years ago. So it was always in my mind. I suppose every owner of a sports franchise thinks, ‘We want to bring the best players to our club’. Does it happen for everyone? Of course not.
      “But we were sat at dinner and we were like, ‘OK, if we could bring Leo for our market, for our fans, for this part of the world, there’s no one better’.”
      Inter Miami’s road to MLS was full of complications, even long before their 2020 debut in the competition.
      They still play in Fort Lauderdale – around 35 miles from their desired Miami Freedom Park location – with club bosses targeting a 2025 move to their new stadium.
      Beckham’s team still haven’t produced on the pitch, having already sacked managers Diego Alonso and Phil Neville during their short existence.
      Now under former Barcelona boss Tata Martino, joined by his old Camp Nou icons Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the sky is the limit for Inter Miami.
      And Beckham is targeting domination on and off the pitch.
      On what he wants his ambitious brand to look like, he cited the New York Yankees, before saying: “I want people walking around in our baseball caps knowing that’s a Miami cap, that’s a Miami brand.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you want to wear the jersey and the cap.”
      Messi’s arrival has put Inter Miami on the global stage – and a decade into the project, Beckham feels like he’s finally getting started.
      Messi’s explosive Inter Miami arrival has put America on noticeCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Incredible timelapse video shows Inter Miami fans STREAM out of stadium the second Lionel Messi is subbed

      by

      INTER MILAN fans left the stadium in droves the moment Lionel Messi was subbed off against Atlanta United.The superstar scored twice and grabbed an assist to continue his electric start in MLS.
      Inter Miami fans poured out of the stadium after Lionel Messi was subbed against AtlantaCredit: Twitter @M30Xtra
      Timelapse video of Inter Miami fans pouring out of the DRV PNK after Messi subs off in 77th minute. The downside of GOAT Watching. 🐐pic.twitter.com/cYB4u42Fcj— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 26, 2023

      Messi scored twice in the matchCredit: Getty
      Messi previously wowed the crowd, including David Beckham, by scoring a last-minute free-kick on his debut to beat Cruz Azul.
      Fans showed their adoration for Messi and packed out the DRVPNK stadium for the visit of Atlanta to catch a glimpse of the 36-year-old.
      But it seems Messi was the sole reason many attended, as the stadium quickly emptied following his substitution after 77 minutes.
      Footage showed thousands of fans all heading for the exit with the three points already wrapped up.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Inter Miami won 4-0 to make it two out of two wins since Messi’s arrival.
      One fan left his seat and invaded the pitch in an attempt to greet Messi as he headed for the dugout.
      Security intervened to prevent the supporter from achieving his goal of taking a selfie with the World Cup winner.
      Messi has had an eventful start to life at Inter Miami as even his unveiling was overshadowed by thunderstorms.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      He also had to comfort DJ Khaled’s son as he was reduced to tears while acting as a mascot ahead of the game against Atlanta.
      But the Argentine has received a warm welcome and appears to get on very well with Beckham, who he reduced to fits of laughter with one of his celebrations.
      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Lionel Messi’s new ‘hold my beer’ celebration that Inter Miami chief David Beckham can’t get enough of

      by

      LIONEL MESSI’S new goal celebration had David Beckham grinning from ear to ear last night.The Argentine superstar has enjoyed an incredible start to life at Inter Miami.
      Lionel Messi performed his ‘hold my beer’ celebrationCredit: Twitter
      Messi directed his celebration at Inter Miami owner David BeckhamCredit: Twitter
      The 36-year-old’s celebration was directed at David BeckhamCredit: Twitter
      His stunning debut free-kick winner against Cruz Azul last Friday was always going to be tough to top in his sophomore outing.
      But the 36-year-old gave it his best shot, inspiring what had previously been MLS’ worst team to a crushing 4-0 demolition of 2018 champions Atlanta United.
      Messi scored twice within the opening 22 minutes of the contest.
      And after one of his strikes, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner turned to owner Beckham.
      READ MORE ON MESSI
      He stopped dramatically, before outstretching his arm and cupping his fingers, in what has been dubbed his “hold my beer” celebration.
      Messi held a dramatic pose before smiling at Becks.
      And the former Manchester United and England star loved it, barely containing his grin.
      Fans also adored Messi’s new celebration, with one writing: “You just gotta love this guy.”
      Most read in Football
      A second tweeted: “this is the best celebration.”
      And a third joked: “Messi holding Ronaldo’s world cup.”
      Others likened the celebration to Darth Vader’s force choke.
      One commented: “Hold my beer? I see Darth Vader.”
      A second claimed: “Looks more like dark Vader using the force.”
      Another quipped: “Darth Messi.”
      After bagging his team’s first two goals, Messi helped tee up former non-league ace Robert Taylor on the stroke of half-time, before assisting the winger for another on 53 minutes.
      Following the final whistle, Taylor gushed about his new team-mate: “He can do everything on the ball. He can keep it in tight spaces, and he makes the right decision 100 per cent of the time.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Most of the time he’ll find one of his team-mates. He brings so much quality to the team, so much. I mean, he’s the best player in the world.
      “This is what he does – he scores two goals, he scored last game, gets another assist. It’s a dream come true to play with him.”
      Messi is so far loving his time in MLSCredit: AFP
      Beckham was all smiles as he watched Messi and Co in actionCredit: Reuters More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      I was told I wasn’t good enough to play non-league football, now I’m team-mates with Lionel Messi

      by

      LIONEL Messi’s Miami debut was the stuff of fantasy.A match-winning free-kick, with the last significant touch of the game, arcing over the wall, allowing him to hare off to find his children to share the celebrations.
      Lionel Messi scored a dramatic late winner on his Inter Miami debutCredit: AP
      Former non-league footballer Robert Taylor celebrates with MessiCredit: Reuters
      Taylor gave Inter Miami the lead on Messi’s debutCredit: Getty
      But while the start of the Messi US era will have put a golden glow around the MLS, arguably the real fairytale was in Inter Miami’s other scorer.
      Robert Taylor and his first half goal were understandably forgotten by most when Messi, as he has done so often, stole the global headlines.
      Messi’s image was all over the stands inside the DRV PNK Stadium and it was genuinely loud, despite only 21,000 filling it with a blaze of passion and cavalcade of colour.
      And his new team-mates know his arrival is transformational.
      READ MORE ON MESSI
      Taylor was struggling to pinch himself as he came to terms with his new team-mates – Messi, Sergio Busquets and, soon, Jordi Alba.
      The Finnish son of an English pro, Taylor cut his youth teeth at Nottingham Forest and Lincoln.
      But it never worked out, even when he dropped down to the fringes of the game, with Boston TOWN – not United – and Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the United Counties League.
      Taylor said: “If anyone had told me a few years ago that, sitting on the bench for Lincoln Moorlands Railway, that I’m going to play with Busquets and Messi I would have laughed in their face.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      “I was sitting on the bench, I wasn’t able to get any minutes, the coach told me I wasn’t strong enough, basically not good enough.
      “That tested me. I was calling my parents back home in Finland and telling them that I wanted to look for something else, other options.”
      A decade later, by way of clubs in Finland and Norway, he has 29 caps for his country and is sharing a dressing room with the greatest of all time.
      Taylor added: “They are inspirational players, unbelievable.
      “Messi just makes the right decisions all of the time.
      “It was a special occasion to be part of – a sold out stadium, Messi and Busquets making debuts.
      “To witness that free kick and the quality he brings to the team, it’s unbelievable. 
      “The emotions were still running strong and there was a lot of adrenalin for everyone.
      “But eventually we’ll have to get used to it and not get too emotional around it, just focus on the game.”
      Taylor’s dad played for top-flight Finnish side KuPS in the 1990s.
      Son Robert represented Forest, Lincoln and Barnet at youth level, but had to move abroad in order to get his chance.
      Read More on The Sun
      He penned a two-year deal with Inter Miami in February 2022 after joining from Norwegian side Brann.
      The left winger has gone on to make 60 appearances for the MLS side to date, scoring five times and laying on nine assists.

      Taylor joined Inter Miami from Brann in February 2022Credit: AP More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside David Beckham’s amazing US life…from A-list pals to convincing Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami

      by

      WHEN Lionel Messi lined up for David Beckham’s Inter Miami football team, it was the biggest coup in the history of the sport.In a remarkable piece of wheeler dealing, the former England captain persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States league.
      David Beckham persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States leagueCredit: Getty
      Beckham with new Inter Miami signing Lionel MessiCredit: instagram
      David, Victoria and Harper with the Kardashians at Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debutCredit: Instagram
      Not only that, 36-year-old Messi, who captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World Cup, turned down a reported billion-pound offer from Saudi Arabia’s top team.
      Business-savvy Becks has cleverly harnessed the power of his celebrity pals to entice Messi with the kind of glamour that can’t be matched in the Middle East.
      A-listers such as reality TV queen Kim Kardashian, basketball superstar Lebron James and tennis legend Serena Williams were there to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Inter Miami debut on Friday night.
      When Beckham announced the creation of the Florida football side five years ago, music mogul Jay-Z, superstar singer J-Lo, A-list actor Will Smith and Olympic athlete Usain Bolt were by his side.
      Read More on David Beckham
      The 48-year-old appeared to be close to tears after Messi scored an injury time winner in a cup match at the club’s temporary home ground.
      That is understandable, given the setbacks he has endured in setting up a football team from scratch.
      A promised state-of-the-art stadium is yet to be built following legal challenges, residents’ protests and the discovery of arsenic in the soil.
      ‘It’s a dream’
      David’s wife Victoria, 49, has been his rock throughout, uprooting the family to spend a lot of the year in Miami.
      Most read in Football
      A source close to the family told us: “Signing Messi has put the team on the global map.
      “It’s not just players backing the team, however. David and Victoria’s famous friends have all put weight behind it. Kim Kardashian’s son Saint is a huge football fan and Messi is his idol.
      “The same can be said of the Beckhams’ pals like singer Marc Anthony, American football star Tom Brady and Lebron James, who can often be seen at games.
      “It’s not just a club, it’s being seen as more of a brand which is hugely commercially viable.”
      They added: “From the beginning of the venture over five years ago Victoria said she would support David at every step and that couldn’t be more true.
      “Miami is fast becoming a second home for the family and they loved the relaxed pace of life there.”
      Two years ago the Beckhams bought a £18.5million Miami penthouse in a 707ft tower designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, boasting a helipad and views of the Atlantic ocean.
      The couple’s four children now have close ties to the area, too.
      Eldest son Brooklyn, 24, married actress Nicola Peltz, 28, at the home of her billionaire father just down the road in Palm Beach, while footballer Romeo, 20, was on the books of Inter Miami’s reserve team.
      Daughter Harper, 12, spends most of her summer holidays in Miami and musician Cruz, 18, has enjoyed hanging out on the £5million family yacht on the city’s sun-soaked waters. 
      Becks is often seen out on the town himself with celebrity pals, including Tom Brady. 
      Another close pal is nightlife impresario David Grutman, known as the “King of Miami” due to his restaurant and nightclub empire.
      David was best man when Marc Anthony, ex-husband of Jennifer Lopez, wed model Nadia Ferreira at Miami’s Pérez Art Museum in January.
      Goldenballs created a huge buzz when he appeared at the Miami Grand Prix last year, while Victoria has been spotted out locally with her pal, Desperate Housewives’ actress Eva Longoria.
      The Beckhams have eaten at hotspots including Makoto, where the Kardashians have been seen, and Zuma Miami, a favourite of rap star Drake and Will Smith.
      But David also enjoys more humble food and regularly stops by Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, a Cuban eatery where the most expensive dishes are £9.
      Leidys Pla, whose family own the restaurant, told us: “He — has a little coffee — he likes Costa Rican coffee and loves the pork or a Cubano sandwich.
      He’s always very nice and takes pictures with anyone who wants them.Leidys Pla
      “He’s always very nice and takes pictures with anyone who wants them.”
      Her mother Lucia Pla added with a smile: “David Beckham is my friend.”
      But even Becks’ A-list pals have been overshadowed by the arrival of Messi, who is being treated like a deity in the majority Latino city.
      Everyone wanted to be at the game to see the South American maestro, with touts charging as much as £85,000 for tickets.
      Murals celebrating the Argentinian striker have sprung up in countless places, while enterprising businesses are offering Messi-themed sandwiches and even a Messi beer.
      Inter fan Maximiliano Infantino, 46, told The Sun: “It’s a dream to have Messi here. Beckham can really make things happen.
      “Miami doesn’t know what’s going to hit it.
      “You look at the bus stops and all you see are pictures of Messi. It’s going to change everything.” 
      One mural covers an entire side of a seven-floor building and shows two images of Messi painted by a local graffiti artist and touched up by Beckham, who stopped by to paint Messi’s teeth.
      Axel Montano, 30, who was selling T-shirts by the mural, said: “I want to thank David Beckham for bringing Lionel Messi to this city.
      ‘Cocktail for success’
      “They are equals and they understand each other.”
      Convincing the sublime soccer superstar to join the club clearly meant a huge deal to Beckham.
      The ex-England captain, who co-owns the club with Miami businessman Jorge Mas, said: “The moment that Leo went on TV and announced that he was coming to Miami, that was an emotional moment.” 
      He has been pursuing Messi for at least two years. 
      The former Barcelona star is rumoured to be on a basic annual wage of £15million, plus £30million in bonuses, and is also due to get a stake in the team when his contract ends in 2025.
      Messi arrived on a free transfer from Paris St Germain and his earnings will be partly funded by a streaming deal with Apple Plus.
      For us it’s a dream to have Messi here. Beckham can really make things happen.Maximiliano Infantino
      Landing his signature has impressed fellow bosses in the game, including The Apprentice star and West Ham vice-chairman Baroness Karren Brady.
      She told The Sun: “With his boots on, Becks proved that unique technical ability and a tireless work ethic — aided by no shortage of charm and a sharp understanding of his own marketability — was a surefire cocktail for success.
      “In the boardroom he is proving just the same as a football club owner.”
      Anyone who dismissed Beckhams as a footballer-turned-underwear model couldn’t be more wrong.
      He earned £657,000 per week last year, with most of the money coming from his brand, which is licensed to Adidas, Electronic Arts video games, Haig Club whisky, Maserati cars and Tudor watches.
      Those sums could be overshadowed by Inter Miami in the future.
      The club is Beckham’s personal project, after he cut a canny deal when he signed to play football for LA Galaxy 16 years ago.
      With his boots on, Becks proved that unique technical ability and a tireless work ethic — aided by no shortage of charm and a sharp understanding of his own marketability — was a surefire cocktail for success.Karren Brady
      As part of the agreement, Major League Soccer promised Beckham could set up his own football team in the US for less than a quarter of the normal fee demanded by the competition.
      But he has had to overcome objections from locals to various plans for a permanent stadium in the Florida city.
      At the moment, the team plays 30 miles away in Fort Lauderdale’s 21,000-capacity DRV PNK Stadium, which used to be the home of another football team.
      The first Inter Miami home match in 2020 had to be postponed due to Covid restrictions — and Beckham has gone through four managers in four years.
      He displayed a ruthless streak by sacking old England and Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville last month, with the club currently languishing bottom at 15th in the Eastern Conference league. 
      The success of the Apple TV football comedy Ted Lasso and the Disney Plus Welcome To Wrexham documentary — about Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over other Welsh non-league side — proves there is an appetite for the sport in the US.
      That interest will only increase when the United States, Mexico and Canada co-host the World Cup in three years.

      Baroness Brady adds: “We can all look on with pride as we see one of our greatest national treasures now helping to inspire another generation by sprinkling more stardust in the US.
      “It can only be positive for the future welfare of our beautiful game as the love of it continues to spread across the world.”
      Messi captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World CupCredit: Reuters
      Beckham goes grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s in MiamiCredit: BackGrid
      Posh and Becks with Marc Anthony and Serena Williams
      The Man United legend with Tom Brady and their respective daughtersCredit: Instagram / @davidbeckham
      Becks with LeBron James at Messi’s Inter Miami debutCredit: Instagram
      David with Leidys Pla at Cuban eatery Enriqueta’s Sandwich ShopCredit: Instagram
      Miami goes mad for Messi with murals appearing on walls
      Another mural of the Argentinian World Cup winner
      Beckham’s luxury liner named Seven after his shirt numberCredit: Mega
      Beckham’s Miami apartment buiding was designed by star architect Zaha Hadid
      Inside the posh pad with stunning viewsCredit: Mega More

    • 163 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Messi Was Already a Hit in Miami. Then He Stepped Onto the Field.

      by

      The impact of the soccer star, who scored a game-winning goal in his debut on Friday, has already been felt in the city known as the unofficial capital of Latin America.Since Lionel Messi announced in early June that he intended to make a stunning jump to Major League Soccer for the twilight of his career, he has flipped the world of his new team, Inter Miami, upside down and shined an enormous spotlight on South Florida. Considered perhaps the greatest soccer player of all time, Messi brought an unprecedented amount of attention to a team that was in only its fourth season and mired in last place.And when Messi was fouled near the top of the penalty box in the third minute of added time in his highly anticipated debut on Friday, he had a chance to prove once again why he was worth all of this hoopla, money and adulation. As he lined up for the free kick in the waning seconds of the game, the crowd of 20,512 at DRV PNK Stadium wondered if he could author another unforgettable moment in an already storied career.The answer: of course. With his golden left foot, Messi drilled a shot into the top left corner of the net, providing the winning difference in a 2-1 victory over Mexican team Cruz Azul that seemed surreal but also quite fitting.“A tremendous joy to get our first victory after how we’ve been doing in the league,” Messi said in Spanish in a postgame television interview.Teammate Kamal Miller said it best when he noted that it was “crazy how that the whole crowd expected the ball to go right there, and he put it right there.” He added later, “We all had that feeling that if anyone could pull off something of that magnitude, that’s the right man.”Fans stood outside DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday to celebrate Messi’s arrival.Saul Martinez for The New York TimesThis is the power of Messi. Before he agreed to come here, Inter Miami was perhaps best known for a cheating scandal in 2021. And this season, Miami had not won since May 23, a span of 11 games. But Messi, 36, has already made an instant impact on and off the field.Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in December and has claimed seven Ballons d’Or as the world’s best men’s soccer player, isn’t just an iconic athlete who has reached almost mythical proportions. He already has and likely will continue to have a substantial cultural influence on a city — and region — known as the unofficial capital of Latin America. Restaurants have changed their menus to include Messi-themed dishes. Murals and signs of Messi have popped up everywhere. Argentine culture is spreading through him.“The magnitude of this announcement — no matter how much I’ve prepared, envisioned, dreamed — is mind-blowing,” said Jorge Mas, the Cuban American billionaire and South Florida native who is the managing owner of Inter Miami. “You’d have to live in a cave to not know that Leo Messi is an Inter Miami player, no matter where in the world.”Look no further than the demand for tickets.A mural of Messi outside the Argentine restaurant Fiorito in Miami.Saul Martinez for The New York TimesGranted, Inter Miami plays in a stadium about 30 miles north of downtown Miami that has a listed capacity of 19,000 and is a placeholder until a proposed larger venue next to Miami International Airport is expected to be completed in two years.But the prices for many tickets to Messi’s first Inter Miami game jumped over $300 from roughly $40. As he acclimated to a new team, Messi didn’t start the game — part of a new monthlong tournament between M.L.S. and Liga MX called Leagues Cup — but it was a sellout anyway. From the beginning of the game, long before he stepped onto the field as a substitute in the 54th minute, fans had been chanting his name.The average ticket price on the secondary market for Inter Miami’s remaining home games skyrocketed to $850 from $152, with road games seeing an even bigger jump, according to Ticket IQ.While some fans have gotten their hands on a Messi Inter Miami jersey, the items are hard to come by online. A note on Inter Miami and M.L.S. official stores, which are run by the sports apparel retailer Fanatics, said that Adidas, the league’s official jersey supplier, would be “delivering this product in mid October.” The M.L.S. regular season ends around then. (Adidas did not respond to a request for comment.)According to Fanatics, since Messi’s new jersey launched on Monday, Inter Miami has been its top-selling team across all sports. The company said on Thursday that it had sold more Inter Miami merchandise since Monday than in the previous seven and a half months of 2023.“This is going to give a level of global exposure for us that we never could have achieved without a player like Messi,” M.L.S. Commissioner Don Garber said. “Whether that’s in South America or in Argentina, or in Europe because he had legendary careers in Barcelona and in France. The goal is try to capture as much of the interest in Messi as we can.”Before Messi’s announcement, Inter Miami’s Instagram account had one million followers. The count had ballooned to nearly 11 million as of Friday, surpassing Inter Milan, the storied soccer club in Italy, and all professional sports teams in the United States save for three N.B.A. teams.Some businesses across South Florida now feature homages to Messi.Saul Martinez for The New York Times“The city has got a bit of a buzz to it now,” Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin said to nearly 40 reporters gathered before a Thursday morning practice, a crowd much larger than usual. “People are really excited, which is nice to see.”For Messi’s presentation event on Sunday — which was broadcast globally in English and Spanish on Apple TV, M.L.S.’s first-year streaming partner — nearly 500 media members were credentialed, according to Inter Miami. And nearly 200 were approved for Messi’s first practice, with a news helicopter circling above since early that morning. Even though reporters were given access to only 15 minutes of the training session, which is common in the sport, television and radio reporters from Argentina broadcast live from their spots on the other side of the field, and then later from the parking lot.“That’s a gift that Leo has given the sport,” said David Beckham, the former soccer star and an Inter Miami owner. “It’s about legacy for him. He’s at the stage of his career where he’s done everything that any soccer player can do in the sport.”Even beyond the field, Messi is among the most famous humans on Earth. At the World Cup in Qatar, it was common to see not only Argentina fans wearing his jersey and singing the national team chants, but also people from Bangladesh or the Philippines. A 30-foot-tall cutout of Messi stands, for example, in the southern Indian state of Kerala.Building on its popularity in Asia, Argentina’s national soccer federation had already begun its plans to grow in the U.S. market a year and a half ago. Leandro Petersen, the A.F.A.’s chief commercial and marketing officer, said the federation has 30-year deals in place in South Florida either to build new facilities (North Bay Village) or to renovate existing ones (Hialeah) to use as training centers for its national team ahead of the 2024 Copa América tournament and the 2026 World Cup.Demand for Inter Miami gear and tickets have skyrocketed. Argentine culture is spreading through him in Miami.Saul Martinez for The New York TimesBut now that Messi is around, Petersen said the federation is benefiting from the boost and seeing its timelines accelerate. Before, he said, it was more difficult to compete with the established American sports leagues, such as the N.F.L. or N.B.A.“What’s happening now is that different companies that didn’t invest in soccer because it’s not the most popular sport in the United States, they’re now starting to include in their budget a part to invest in soccer,” Petersen said in Spanish. Emi Danieluk, the brand ambassador for a local chain of Argentine steakhouses called Baires Grill, which has frequently hosted Messi, his family and his Argentine teammates, said Messi’s arrival had already given more visibility to Argentine culture, products and food. He sees more potential ripple effects of Messi’s presence.“We have today an example of what Messi is generating in Florida, but I can assure you when he starts to travel for Inter Miami to other stadiums that have more capacity, like Atlanta United and 80,000 people, the impact he is going to have in every state is really significant,” Danieluk said. “I don’t think people realize that right now.”Messi walked triumphantly off the field after his first Inter Miami game.Chandan Khanna/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesThose in attendance at Friday’s game saw Messi’s substantial impact. After he and Sergio Busquets, a fellow newcomer and former teammate of Messi’s in Barcelona, entered the game, they began exposing Cruz Azul’s defense. In stoppage time, Messi drew a foul and worked his magic. He sent the crowd into a frenzy, celebrated with teammates and raced over to hug his family.“We want to start like that, giving the victory to these people and to thank all the people here,” Messi said afterward, adding later, “I hope that we continue like this and they keep accompanying us all year.” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Luton in transfer race for £10m Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez but move faces being scuppered – by Lionel Messi

      by

      LIONEL MESSI has hit Luton’s hopes of signing Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez.The Hatters are trying for Inter Miami hitman Martinez but fell short of the £10million valuation —  so need the South American to push to leave.
      Luton want to sign MartinezCredit: Getty
      However, the move could be scuppered by MessiCredit: Reuters
      But Martinez, 30, has hit it off with Messi since the Argentine arrived in the MLS last week.
      The pair have been close in training and Martinez even jokingly called him his “new best friend”.
      Luton’s other hope is that David Beckham’s Inter also sign former Liverpool star Luis Suarez — which could edge Martinez closer to an exit.
      Messi agreed to join Inter Miami on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last month.
      Read More on Football
      He was officially unveiled as an Inter player earlier this week after arriving in the US to an overwhelming reception.
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner made his debut on Friday evening and announced himself to fans by scoring an outstanding free kick.
      Inter Miami won the match 2-1 thanks to Messi’s late contribution, which left Beckham and his family stunned.
      The Herons also completed the signing of former Barcelona star Sergio Busquets this week, who joined Messi in making his debut on Friday.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The Spaniard became the third ex-Barcelona star to join the club this summer.
      Jordi Alba made the switch earlier this week to become the fourth.
      And Spain legend Andres Iniesta is expected to join his former teammates at the DRV PNK Stadium before the summer concludes. More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans joke ‘that’s the pressure of playing with the GOAT’ after Inter Miami star’s unfortunate incident on Messi debut

      by

      FANS saw the funny side after an Inter Miami star threw up on the pitch during Lionel Messi’s debut.The superstar came off the bench and scored a last-gasp free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul.
      Robbie Robinson threw up on the pitch against Cruz AzulCredit: Twitter
      Fans joked he could not handle the pressure of playing with Lionel MessiCredit: Twitter
      Messi scored a last-gasp free-kick to win the matchCredit: Reuters
      The strike reduced Miami owner David Beckham to tears, and he was not the only one feeling the presence of greatness.
      Fans joked Miami forward Robbie Robinson was feeling the effect of playing with Messi after he THREW UP mid-game.
      Robinson appeared to be fine as he tracked back to help his defence but suddenly began projectile vomiting on to the pitch.
      Supporters were shocked by the incident and some could not help but have a bit of fun.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      One said: “The pressure of playing with the Goat.”
      Another added: “Messi effect.”
      A third wrote: “I understand him… I would be the same if I had to play with Messi.”
      And another commented: “Man couldn’t handle the Messi experience.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      One supporter even joked Robinson was inspired by Messi as the Argentine once threw up in the World Cup final.
      Messi’s debut attracted A-list celebrities to the DRV PNK Stadium including Lebron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian. More