VA visionary as a businessman and an instinct as a sportsman, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham knew that Lionel Messi was the key to boosting soccer in the United States, especially in Florida, a strategic region that produces sports and artistic stars. That’s why he insisted on signing, and he wasn’t wrong.
When the Argentine left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, the French team’s shirt with his name on it sold out as soon as it went on sale. Demand for the shirt was expected to be high, but club and sportswear brand Nike did not expect demand to be this high as PSG’s international partnership with soccer spectators was just beginning. PSG increased shirt sales by 40% until 2023, when the player remains at the Parisian club.
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After the announcement of Messi’s arrival in France, one million shirts were sold in the official slot for 2020-2021. It sold out within the first three hours after it went on sale. Some people bought them to offer online and found buyers who would pay up to 1,000 euros.
Beckham, who had analyzed and studied the marketing implications, knew that the same thing would happen if Messi came to MLS. Time has proven that Vex’s claims were correct. But it wasn’t easy. Inter Miami’s project is comprehensive and puts sport first. The first thing to do was to make the people feel closer to soccer and encourage them to visit the stadium. It then creates a connection of identity and belonging with the team. This was accomplished in a season that just ended with an MLS Cup victory.
In parallel with the signing of Leo Messi, advertising and marketing influence increased exponentially, reflected in Inter Miami’s post-game attendance numbers, tickets sold at Chase Stadium, and shirt sales in the United States and abroad. Currently, Pink Team is expanding beyond borders and expanding globally.
Inter Miami kit becomes bestseller thanks to Lionel Messi
According to the Soccer Sportswear Market Index, the top 10 clubs in the Americas with international influence in jersey sales are Inter Miami (USA), Boca Juniors (Argentina) and Flamengo (Brazil).
Boca Juniors in 6th place and Flamengo in 8th place are ahead of Arab club Al Nasr, who are in the top 10 with more than 1 million shirts sold worldwide. Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to sell 1,281,000 pieces of clothing on his own as a marketing magnet.
Inter Miami holds a prestigious position alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich. These five clubs form a select group of clubs that sold more than 2 million jerseys in 2025. The MLS champions sold 2,166,000 jerseys. The Messi factor has boosted sales since arriving in Florida in July 2023.
Real Madrid (Spain) – 3,133,000 Barcelona (Spain) – 2,940,000 PSG (France) – 2,546,000 Bayern Munich (Germany) – 2,377,000 Inter Miami (MLS) – 2,166,000 Boca Juniors (Argentina) – 1,933,000 Manchester United (England) – 1,855,000 Flamengo (Brazil) – 1,677,000 Chelsea (England) – 1,422,000 Al Nasr (Saudi Arabia) – 1,281,000
