How Inter Miami Signed Lionel Messi
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Try The Athletic for FREE for 30 days: theathletic.co...
📗 Tifo's new book, "How to Watch Football" is now available internationally: linktr.ee/tifo...
In September 2019, Inter Miami owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham met with Lionel Messi’s father in Barcelona. This was before Messi’s move to PSG. The seed was sewn.
Four years later the relationship between Miami and Messi had flourished. This is the story of massive global commercial deals, future security and how Messi plans to change the MLS for good.
Written by Paul Tenorio, illustrated by Craig Silcock.
Follow Tifo Football:
Twitter: / tifofootball_
Facebook: / tifofootball
Instagram: / tifofootball_
Listen to the Tifo Football podcast:
The Athletic UK: bit.ly/TifoPodC...
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/TifoFootPod
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Watch more Tifo Football: Tactics Explained: • Tactics Explained | Ti...
Finances & Laws: • Finances & Laws | Tifo...
Tifo Football Podcast: • Tifo Football Podcast
Most Recent Videos: • Most Recent Videos | T...
1 Popular Videos: • Popular Videos | Tifo ...
About Tifo Football:
Tifo loves football. We create In-depth tactical, historical and geopolitical breakdowns of the beautiful game.
We know there’s an appetite for thoughtful, intelligent content. For stuff that makes the complicated simple.
We provide analysis on the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, World Cup and more.
Our podcasts interview some of the game’s leading figures. And our editorial covers football with depth and insight.
Founded in 2017 and became a part of The Athletic in 2020. For business inquiries, reach out to tifo@theathletic.com.
Music sourced from epidemicsound.com
Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com
#Messi #MLS #Miami
I think its worth saying that part of the reason he chose Inter Miami over the Saudi Pro League or other clubs in the MLS was probably also that Miami is a majority-Hispanic city so the fact that so many people speak his language means he can live and play in a more familiar environment.
It’s also easier for his kids and his wife to live in America too compared to Saudi Arabia. Antonella and his kids matter a lot to Leo as his career begins to wind down
And could it be said he chose MLS > Saudi Arabia because when Saudi beat Argentina in the Group Stage at the World Cup, they celebrated and mocked Messi and Argentina.
and the Miami beaches. Barcelona is a coastal city, right?
My man just want to rest after winning world cup... what is wrong with that...
In fact I believe that Messi already owned property in Miami before signing for Inter, and would spend some time there in the off season for the last couple of years.
What an impact he’s already had! What a player!
what a player indeed
This so called “Messi effect” is palpable here in Miami, and now conmebol (south american confederation) is inviting inter Miami to play in the copa liberadores(South American champions league) just so Messi could finally have a chance to compete in it, something people never imagine it would happen.
If Inter Miami wins Leagues Cup and Qualify for CONCACAF Champions Cup they will be more games and less pressure.
@@JakeStevyson good, more games means more experience and development for Miami. Commercially, you build more exposure in the South American market especially Argentina. I can see them become Inter miami fans just because of Messi.
Messi sposta gli equilibri 🐐👽🇦🇷
I thought the first 3 times in leagues already qualify for Concacaf champions league... So inter is already qualified, but if they win it. They are directly in the 16 round...@@JakeStevyson
@@midnightman5139You’re right, it’s already happening. Not only in Argentina too
Fair play to the MLS, they did an incredible job
To lure away from Saudi offer of making him a billionaire is an achievement itself.
@@midnightman5139 Meh. He is still incredibly wealthy and over time would become a billionaire and he knows that.
@@billmartin4093 sure but the fact that the Saudis offered Messi the amount equivalent to every player’s salary in Europe or MLS annual revenue for three years in a league that until recently nobody knew it existed, yet turned it down in favor of Miami is just hard to process because any other player would accept it in a heartbeat.
@midnightman5139 He's not tempted by that anymore.
They sold him on quality of life, a long term vision after he retires, and cementing his legacy. Going for the intangibles when they knew they couldn’t compete with cash was a brilliant move.
Feels like the main differences in opportunity for Messi were that the MLS offered a post-retirement plan (Equity stake in the club, closer to Argentina for travel, chance to stay involved in the sport) and the chance to be the face of the league (Ronaldo had already gone to Saudi Arabia).
Also in Miami almost everyone speaks Spanish.
Also life is a lot more fun and free in Florida.
implying that messi wouldn't be the face wherever he choses to step foot?
@@Poizn0i can smell the obesity off you
@@Poizn0if he went to Saudi after Ronaldo, he would maybe have been the face along with him.
It's crazy on how the match ticket is finished in just 8 minutes. Messi effect is so real
huh? what do you mean?
@@WS12658 What's confusing about it?
@@darthmarticusLFC because the sentence makes zero sense, can you clarify what they’re trying to say?
@@murdotch2484 the match tickets sell out within 8 minutes of going on sale. People want to see Messi so it’s having an effect.
@@murdotch2484He means when tickets for Inter Miami games are released, they are sold out within 8 minutes
Messi is enjoying his life there.
Completed football
Using haters tears to wash his trophies.
So it seems, so it seems
@@tanveerhasan2382what is it you know that everyone else doesn’t. Share with us!!
It was 3 years in the making. Miami not only needed a team, they needed a player that can attract more fans to the sport and Messi is the best candidate for that position. Messi was more sold to the project in Miami than Saudi Arabia despite the lure of earning more than Ronaldo. Inter Miami were regarded as the worst team in MLS despite having players like Higuain, Matuidi and Josef Martinez before Messi arrived and they fortunes changed.
Lol Higuain has another chance to avenge himself for messi
That's the thing about Messi. He's never been insecure. So, he wouldn't make decisions based on what Ronaldo is doing or earning.
Don’t know why on earth u mention ronaldo 😂
FC Dallas couldn’t fill their stadium during Leagues Cup but once they played Inter Miami it sold out quickly. This is going to be a great decade for American soccer.
it's not soccer, it's football
@@ilaman2107same thing
@@dom4591I’m an American, so let me help, it is football.
@@darthastrius i say both. Depends who I'm speaking to
Philadelphia lost 2 out of their last 30 home games, with Miami being the second team. It's kinda insane.
not to mention the score difference was huge
Helps that Jimbo picked the worst possible game plan and Blake had the worst game of his career
Not the first time an Argentine and a Cuban joined forces to start a revolution 😂
ahhahaha
LOL!
Gracias por el comentario en Español, tenía ganas de disfrutar de estos grandiosos videos sobre Fútbol sin tener que leer los subtítulos. Gran video y resumen del fichaje, Tifo Football, seguís siendo unos máquinas.
They talk about how there would be an MLS before an after Messi , but it's the same with world football.
It's a progressive step forward for MLS. And Saudi is taking over. You live in the past.
@@_PanchoVillaDude, so many people are stuck in the past or present that it's kind of annoying.
Speaking publicly as a Miami player, Messi just seems to be vibing playing for a city where he can both be loved, anonymous, and not persecuted. Just enjoying his soccer.
here after the GOAT won the Leagues cup
Leetttts goooo
Che giocatore UNICO,Messi è l'unico che sposta l'asticella in un modo impressionante.
Vamosss Miamiii 🔥 Vamossss MESSI 🐐👽🇦🇷🔥
MLS pulled of a CLUTCH! INCREDIBLE TO SEE MESSI PLAYING for MIAMI!!! ❤❤❤
Its the right move imo. Messi playing in the US is a huge ambassador role for the MLS- I see kids wearing the Inter Miami kit and the US is an ideal bridge between the English/Spanish footballing world.
I think, as a rich South American, Messi just decided that Miami was the place he wanted to retire and therefore instructed the local team to sign him
Lies again? NRIC Card
Not that far off... Miami is a latin hub, any latin american would love to enjoy their days with family there.@@NazriB
The real truth. Do I want 1.3 billion or a couple hundred mil to live in Miami?
Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets & Jordi AlbaThe Three Musketeers of Inter Miami. What an impact he’s already had! What a player!.
Messi shopping in Publix is still one of my favorite things
To be frank, there is another reason I think maybe surprising but necessary to pay attention: Messi joining MLS will trigger a deal that would merge both CONMEBOL and CONCACAF to one.
South America is extremely successful in football but recently being dried out of opportunities due to lack of members and Europe's unwillingness to let the South Americans in. While Argentina recently restored some prides to South America, the reality is South American football is in freefall and Argentina is just trying to prevent that. The formation of UEFA Nations League also did little to South America either as no one in Europe will accept CONMEBOL nations playing in their Nations League or Euro Cup.
North America is only becoming more interested in football recently, historically CONCACAF is weak with only Mexico, the US or recently Costa Rica and Canada making impacts. Yet they have the wealth and finance. Moreover, North America also has plenty of Hispanic nations, and even the US is home to more than 100 million people of Hispanic or distant Hispanic ancestries. North America is also more desperate for unification with South America to form a mega-football confederation.
Messi arriving here seems to play this role - by attracting South American watchers, the North Americans hope to foster a sense of connection between two halves of the Americas and eventually lead to unification.
I think it would be great to see more matches between South and North American teams and maybe an American cup of sorts. Like an American Champions league including both continents teams.
@@fazsaeed I think it will and must have to come, no matter how South Americans dislike it.
South Americans detest North America for so long and for decades they see Europe as their rival. But Europe has now become increasingly hostile to the idea of South Americans running to play football in their soil freely, mainly the national team ones.
By forming the Nations League and introducing more European competitions, UEFA is moving to limit South American influence and clubs in Europe are tacitly encouraged to use less South American players. By crippling South America's football opportunities, UEFA is making clear that "playing with Europe is not for free".
Yet South America cannot compete in Asia or Africa because they are too weak by international standard. While there are breakthrough teams like Senegal, Nigeria, Japan, Morocco and South Korea, they are largely inconsistent.
They are likely to go back to North America. Long resenting North America, yet now they are cornered to this point that they have to look on North America as a desperate last ditch effort.
@@davidbowie5023 we are seeing some developments with that regard. The Inter-America cup is soon to be held but I don't think that's enough. MLS teams participating in Copa Libertadores would be exciting but it's not a direct solution as it would only increase the fixtures. A merger between the regions would be a step in the right direction but highly unlikely due to financial constraints.
@@duyin6513 Even if it is unlikely for now, it appears to be the last solution for them. Who are South Americans going to play for when Europe is shutting door for South Americans? The only option for South Americans is to get signed by big European clubs, which is a common theme and not an issue - yet playing in club competitions isn't similar to international competitions and European nations are unlikely to let the South Americans to become more competitive.
Probably a good starting point is an Inter American Cup but while that might wipe out Gold Cup and Copa America, it will help both out.
The only downside of a merger might be that it will be harder for South America to host the World Cup for either men or women.
Mind blown. This side of football is really fascinating. The business stuff is good to hear.
Finally Messi can relax and play beautiful football one more time
Absolutely loving the 1080p in 60 frames per second
I go to a handful of MLS games a year for my local club. Supporter Section tickets are usually 16$-18$. For the match against Inter Miami next month those same tickets are 300$. All other seats are about 400$ and up. The prices are a clear indicator of his impact....especially since these stadiums are selling out.
EDIT: What I don't understand is why the league isn't using NFL stadiums if possible. Even Camping World Stadium holds 60,000
Yeah, when the schedule doesn’t conflict they should try to use larger stadiums to get more fans at games
If he winning the final, than his job for this season is over, I don't even think anyone could imagine he could impact a bottom team this much. He need two of his best team mates, Alba and Sergio, both of them know what he thinks and how he play and Miami got then also, His impact is ridiculous
I think with 12 games left, the bottom team(Inter Miami) has plenty of games left to get into the playofff and win the league. They just need to win all the games to get there, easy as that 😺
No they need to win between 8 to 10 games and will most likely make it...@@sinaekim4238
You know MLS has no promotion and relegation right? MLS is ridiculous.
@@davidbowie5023I don’t think it’s ridiculous, it’s just different. I watch the NFL and the NBA and they have the same system as the MLS and it’s great. We just aren’t used to it in football here in Europe.
Could you please do an analysis of how Messi plays for MIAMI?
How Tata Martino uses Messi for Miami.
MLS has become so much more awesomer. Hail Messi.
MLS needs more star players like Saudi Pro League
Dear English brothers, it's called "MLS" not "the MLS" it's not "the major league soccer"... "major league soccer"
Bring old voice actor back please 😭
For his family ofc.❤
Messi is exactly what the MLS needed. An elite player with global recognition. His signing with Inter Miami FC will elevate the relatively young league. The signing of David Beckham did not give the league the amount of recognition as people were hoping for. David Beckham is just not likable enough and lacked as large of a following.
There is a buzz in the MLS that has not been around since the Pele.
Hm, this could be a great way for the MLS to expand its audience and image. The idea of having football legends come, invest and support MLS teams can bring in a wider audience, money, and even recruitment.
How inter Miami signed Messi: STONKS
I also think Messi stating straight off the bat that he has no issues playing on artificial turf speaks to who he is as a professional athlete. We've had so many divas from Europe moan about artificial turf. But not Messi!
UNICO Messi 🐐👽🇦🇷
what do you mean by artificial turf? can you explain?
@@user-zi8gv9ko1v where winters are very harsh or where summers are scorching hot it becomes very challenging to keep a decent turf throughout the year. A "good" example of how bad a natural grass pitch can get is the match between Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow in 1998, they basically played on dirt. Since the early 2000 here and there started to appear artificial turfs, a surface made with artificial grass that mimics the behaviour of a natural turf.
Needless to say it's far from being a good replica, I've played on countless of artificial turfs (I live in northern Italy, near the mountains, so artificial turfs are pretty common here) and the way the ball bounces is a little different, diving into tackles leaves scratches that you wouldn't get on regular grass, in general is not terrible, but not as good as grass.
But an artificial turf also has its benefits, the bounce although different is very consistent, the pitch itself doesn't need a lot of maintenance.
I dislike artificial turf, but to be fair I never played on the Hybrid turfs multimillion dollars clubs have, so I imagine that surface must be really good.
In the US many stadiums are used for NFL too... They use some plastic grass instead of the costy professional hybrid grass used in Europe at elite level... @@user-zi8gv9ko1v Supposedly the plastic stuff highers the risk of injuries,etc.
@@user-zi8gv9ko1vmight not be the best reply but basically some teams don't play on grass (I know its strange & wrong imo) they can play on surfaces called a '3G Pitch' aka artificial grass with a rubber crumb, if you've seen Bale's free kick goal vs Andorra that's an example of artificial pitch, I think you see the black crumb during that goal too as he strikes the ball. Its pretty common in Scotland too that they play on artificial surfaces that are heavily criticised for their quality, Chelsea have had 2 major injuries happen on non football playing fields, 1 in 2019 pre Europa League final to Ruben Loftus Cheek, one a few weeks ago to Nkunku. I know like 10 years ago Jermain Defoe didn't travel with Spurs away in the Europa League to teams that played on '3G pitches' due to his knees & age so presumably they are harder to land on ie impact force
3:08 - looks like a minor error - aren't the lines meant to all be going to Buenos Aires rather than Miami?
Great vid! Also helpful to consider how Messi annd his family can enjoy more anonymity compared to other countries he was offered to play in.
Greatest of All Time❤
Whoever made the flight path has mixed Argentina with Miami 😂
Great video, thanks alot
Beckham was far more instrumental in this deal happening than anyone. He isn’t given enough credit
Goat list
1.Messi
2.Maradona
3.Pele
4.Ronaldo
5.Zidane
Very Good Information
I think, I think it might be a minute or even significant contribution, but time difference with his home country can have also played a part.
for future reference, it's "Drive Pink" stadium 😅
I think there's a mistake in the video at 3:08. Why are the dotted lines all converging at Miami instead of Buenos Aires when the topic is about flight times to Buenos Aires?
Messi being Messi 🐐
YEAAAAAH AN MLS VIDEO
we want the old narrator
Messi always loved vacationing in the US. That's why I had a feeling he would choose MLS over Saudi Pro League.
Can't be overstated too how much a difference it likely made for Messi and his family to live in Miami where the majority of people speak Spanish as opposed to Saudi Arabia where basically nobody does
Saudis would gladly speak spanish for Messi tbf 😂but I understand his family would prefer the open latino culture over a hot conservative country..besides the fame in the US is global
3:01 I would’ve said how the time zones are very similar. That makes the biggest difference
I miss that soothing background music.
MLS: before Beckham, after Beckham.
Has Joe Devine completely gone now then? Part of Tifo's appeal was his clear and concise delivery of the script?
He said on Twitter he was still at Tifo.
But he has a new movie podcast and is in less and less Tifo stuff so seems like he is being phased out :(
The greatest of all time.
Really it’s all thanks to Derek Diablo.
You heard it hear first folks! This Messi guy is worth the hype! wow!
I mean, this should have been the most interestijg topic for the channel but the editing, the narration - it's could have been better.
Messi is the Goat
Nice video, you may want to fix the graphic in 3:01-3:08
I hope mls gets better with time
Was just watching some of your videos just before this came out lmao
Make videos like this before they move lol
It's crazy to hear that the MLS as a league basically said "we will help one of our clubs sign one of the worlds finest players" and everyone else in the league was totally on board. If this happened in the UK there would be allegations of corruption for certain.
There's no incentive for premier league teams to do this kind of thing like there is for the MLS or Saudia league.
Those leagues are trying to BE the premier league, the premier league already is the richest league.
MLS puts entertainment first, so don't take it too seriously.
The MLS is structured very differently to the prem.
Because there is no worry of relegation for MLS teams/ franchises. The franchise owners main focus is to make as much money as they can by growing the leagues value so bringing messi to the league has massive benefits for all teams
@@user-pt4jm4bb7y Also, but not all. They mixed development and entertainment very well.
@@user-pt4jm4bb7y In a way that will not hurt the finances of the clubs*
In the press conference he did this week, he wasn't showing any of that “impact he will do for the popularity of the sport” in the USA before and after mentality. He seemed to be enjoying his time, but I'm curious what his honest thoughts on that are, maybe he's keeping it to himself because it might come out as conceited.
The guy is way too outwardly humble. If you ask him who the best on miami is he'll list everyone but himself first.
“impact he will do for the popularity of the sport” Impact in sport is mainly made by playing the sport, so, I think ou misunderstand something here... His impact is already huge, his team had a single goal and 11 defeats in the last 13 matches before his arrival, and now they only win, sometimes with high score-difference too, and shot nearly 20 goals in justa few matches... If other teams don´t decide to do more, they´ll simply disappear, and that´s the impact he makes... His impact is of th evolutionary sort, where you either develop, or go down (where going down isn´t an option)
@@klausbrinck2137 I'm talking about the quote from his dad saying he talked with Messi, and how he was excited about making an impact on the popularity of the sport and there being a before and after him on the USA.
@@YoJesusMorales And he raises the popularity: By raising competition, the NSL won´t be as boring as before... That will make it popular.
@@klausbrinck2137 The point of my comment was that they asked Messi that in the interview and he sort of avoided the question, I'm not saying you're wrong, just that I want to hear what he thinks about it.
messi is going to turn america into a soccer powerhouse trust me. every coach in the country is studying his every movement, every idea, every use of space, etc. masterclass. look out world football, america will be here to stay within the next decade.
Wow, he sounds like a great player
Messi is a bit OP in America. It's like watching him play 5 aside on the local astro.
He was also OP at Barcelona
@@ngc5195 and he would've been better at psg if the team played for him instead of mbappe but i understand messi was there just to complement mbappe
A true example of a good marquee signing. It shows as well the mess that is PSG
notice how none of the reasons are passion
with recent audio changes athletic-Tifo Football video doesnt seems as usual and natural
The deal was sealed years ago, and is worth more than the deal in saudi arabia in the long run.
3:06 pretty sure he meant the distance to Buenos Aires with all, as in closer to home
I won’t lie that Messi coming to the league has been a successful endeavor for the league owners and Inter Miami themselves. The numbers add up, ticket sales, jerseys sold, Instagram followers ballooning.
But I have to critically ask how this will make the futbol in America grow larger and better. People are definitely making money, sure, but will that translate into a better future for futbol in America?
One things for sure, with the greatest ever player and the upcoming world cup taking place, now is the time.
One of the problems that MLS has is that most Americans who watch soccer don't watch MLS. I think the idea is that Messi draw those viewers in, and help build hype for the 2026 world cup, and hopefully with a good run the USMNT could in turn provide a big boost for interest in the sport. It's happened a few times before.
There several Argentinian deals made behind close doors. It seems the Argentinias high up are more than happy with Messi joining Mls and may also have some involvement in him coming. For once AFA already got some training ground exclusively for the Argentinian national team in the USA, they already planning of putting inter miami into the copa libertatores so Messi can play in it. etc.
In terms of player development, MLS is the 2nd tier target for South American players. It offers the American lifestyle and job security (no relegation). Attacking players are being developed and getting shipped off to Europe every season (look at interest for Cade Cowell, and how Almiron came through the league). Messi's contribution for player development will be on the defensive side. MLS teams have to develop fullbacks and CDMs to counter busquets -messi-alba.
MLS is slowly turning into a development league. People are watching to see who is going to be the next wonder kid. I'm guessing after this season or next, Robert Taylor will move to a top five league.
@@sans3go342 IIRC Taylor or someone else already got a deal from nottingham i think but he rejected as messi was joining miami
How Inter Miami signed Messi: with money
If so then he would have gone to Saudi
@HungNguyen-qr7bt he already had houses in Miami and when you look at the package with revenue split with Apple, salary and franchise equity its worth similar to the Saudi deal. Messi can't retire in Saudi, whilst in Miami he can, he chose the semi-retirement
Messi turned down 1.3 billion dollars from Saudi to play in MLS and dude said money 😂
he would've went to saudi then
Well, why can't saudi arabia can't sign messi?
please bring back the old visuals or animations
Great video. Not sure why you put lines going from Barcelona and Riad to Miami, surely they’re meant to go to Buenos Aires?
Though he will be playing against my home team, I am so excited for this man to bring growth to my nation’s league.
Our idol Messi is the best.
The One True GOT 🐐⭐️✨
You people just made me want to play Hotline Miami again.
Messi now has the one spanish speaking base of operations for club, copa america and world cup in a city where he already had property.
ahahahha, true lol. Sad that he isnt a bit younger. But maybe he can still make it work...
the world revolves around Messi
Messi, El Mejor 💎
MLS should rebrand to MFL (Match Fixing League)
LEE-OH-NELL Messi
3:08 The graphic is flawed😂. Destination is Buenos Aires not Florida.
Even mentioning the $111k ticket is so obsolete. Nobody bought that. That was an outlier. I live in Miami and went to 2 Messi games so far and have spent a total of $350. Relax ppl.
Apple shares and other financial incentives aside. The biggest factor was the city itself
The best no doubt…
Messi story is interesting and What happened to the original voice guy 👀
Traded one billion dollar deal for another while also adding the ability to change the game in America and the ability to some what be a normal person while out and about (at least for now)
miami won’t even make the playoffs this year is the craziest part
Cool video, but shouldn’t the plane trajectories at 3:02 be from Buenos Aires? I’m sure if he ended up in Saudi he wouldn’t care how far away Miami is from Riyhad!
It's Lionel like l-ee-onel not like l-a-ee-onel
El que no ama a Messi, no ama al futbol
The likes of Cristiano Ronald and Neymar made big mistakes choosing Saudi Arabia over the MLS.