It’s nothing new, wherever I go Lionel Messi, good fortune pursues him. For in the case of Inter Miami, we can say that it is a literal fortune. The general director of the Herons of the MLS, Xavier Asensi, explained in an interview with EFE the impact that Messi’s presence has had on the American league for just nine months.
Since his arrival to the Florida team, the flea He added 23 goals in 25 games and 11 assists to his statistics (833 goals and 373 in 1,058 games), in addition to having won the Leagues Cup since his arrival and positioning the pink team at the top of the Eastern Conference of the Major League Soccer in this new season. In fact, last weekend saw a historic performance by Messi in front of the New York Red Bullswhere he had a goal and five assists that closed the score at 6-2.
However, Leo’s production does not end there. The fact is that his arrival in the MLS has been a phenomenal deal for Inter Miami: “With the arrival of Messi, we have gone from having a budget of just over 60 million to ending up billing around 125 or 130. This year I hope we will have a turnover of 200 million dollars or more.. An outrage to have a temporary stadium,” announced the director.
The increase in income is due to a multiplicity of factors, but those that weigh the most are the relationships with international brands that are interested in linking their image with Inter Miami, and therefore, with Messi.
Such was the case of Visa, which recently joined the family. “We are very happy with this sponsorship, it is a matter not only of quantity but of quality,” explained Asensi, who explained that the arrival of big brands has increased since they have the Argentine’s presence on their team. “Leo takes you to another level. But then also the levels of demand that you ask of the ‘partners’ are different.”
That “other level” includes matches around the world, in countries in Central America and Asia, which form a large part of the club’s income. “What Inter Miami can earn on a preseason tour is above what a professional soccer club has ever earned“, Asensi stated.
This is not the first time that Asensi has the honor of working hand in hand with the world champion, since they shared years together in the Barcelona FC, he as COO and Messi as the captain. Now that they have reunited, they are forming a business that continues to grow day by day, game after game. “This is for Leo, obviously we try to pull behind him in this sense and adapt the structure so that this can happen, but 80% of zero is zero. “If Messi wasn’t there, what we’re talking about wouldn’t exist.”.
Inter Miami had several figures who marked a before and after in the club’s history, among them David Beckham y Jorge More. By mentioning those names, Asensi assures that, although they are vital, they do not compare to the massive impact that the flea.
“We are talking about the best player of all time. It’s like being able to say you’ve seen Tiger Woods play, or Michael Phelps swim, or Usain Bolt run, or watch Michael Jordan or Tom Brady. We are contemporaries of something that is happening here and now. Every weekend the United States has him playing in their professional league. “We are talking about the greatest of all time who is active and playing.”.
Having the presence of the best player of all time and the last world champion attracts not only affiliations with important brands, but also begins to increase the visits of other elite celebrities to the Chase Stadium every weekend. “The level of requests that come in is really crazy. Usain Bolt has come more than once, it was impressive. From LeBron James to everything that has happened here. It is fascinating and at the same time a source of pride, it is wonderful to be able to experience it in first person again,” commented the director.