Lionel Messi was recently acquired by Inter Miami from PSG with the sale of his jersey at an all time high
After two rocky years with the French club, the World Cup winner said his final goodbyes.
The footballing legend left FC Barcelona in 2021 as the Catalan powerhouses broke the financial regulations of La Liga. As a result, they were unable to offer Messi a new deal. In the end, Barca made a second attempt to sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2023.
Lionel Messi Inter Miami jersey sale figures and revenue for club raised through shirts sales
The first 24 hours of Lionel Messi Inter Miami jersey sales were the BEST 24 hours of any player changing teams across all sports. It edged out:
– Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, 2021)
– Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2020)
– LeBron James (Lakers, 2018)(via Fanatics) pic.twitter.com/dObKPH4veP
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 2, 2023
Messi has taken down North America.
Messi’s career in the United States got off to a flying start. Recently, he scored against Cruz Azul in spectacular fashion. Later in the game, he was substituted into play. The Argentine great scored a stunning goal for Inter Miami with a free kick that found the top left corner. When he once again demonstrated his class with ease, that was undoubtedly one for the history books.
Messi hasn’t only been wowing everyone in that one area. The former Barca hero has been breaking sales records for jerseys, and it appears that no other athlete comes close.
What positive effects has Lionel Messi’s move had on Inter Miami’s jersey sales?
Compared to the next club, Messi is said to have increased Inter Miami’s clothing sales by 50%. This is no ordinary accomplishment, and it appears that Messi’s influence on Americans has now been enormous. Not only that, but even players like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Cristiano Ronaldo were unable to top the first 24 hours following Messi’s transfer.
In August 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United, making many people’s dreams come true at the time. Although the conclusion of his reign in 2022 didn’t go as planned, Ronaldo’s entrance undoubtedly increased the club’s shirt sales. Given the impact he has had on the modern era in recent years, it is not all that shocking.
The first day’s total is still unknown, but according to sources, United made more than $16 million in the first 10 days from jersey sales alone. On the other hand, LeBron James also had a similar effect on the Los Angeles Lakers. The four-time NBA champion moved to California in 2018, leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers behind.
King James was able to significantly increase Laker’s jersey sales on the first day. For example, compared to the sales of his Cavaliers jersey, LeBron’s jerseys showed a 600% increase in the first three hours. One can only speculate as to how this would have developed over the course of the first 24 hours. In a similar vein, Tom Brady also had a significant influence on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ large profit in 2020 from jersey sales.
When he played for the New England Patriots, the seven-time Super Bowl champion had the jersey with the greatest sales in 2018. The next year, he finished second in the NFL as well. Brady experienced a remarkable 900% boost in jersey sales from the previous year after relocating to Florida. This simply serves to put Messi’s accomplishments into perspective.
Inter Miami is on a mission.
After scoring 5 goals in just 3 games in the North America, Messi has been on fire in the MLS. Although it’s understandable that David Beckham and company are pleased with the Argentine, he still has a lot of work to do if the team wants to add to its collection of championships.
After acquiring the best players from Barcelona, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Beckham has been assembling a strong team. If Messi can make history for Inter Miami on the pitch as much as he has been doing so off it, only time will tell.