Lionel Messi’s arrival was anticipated for weeks by MLS and Inter Miami fans – it didn’t matter which team you supported, everyone wanted to watch Messi play.
The 36-year-old 7-time Ballon winner signed a contract that keeps him at Inter Miami till 2025. His arrival has facilitated a significant coup for David Beckham and Inter Miami together. Messi’s arrival is taking sports in the United States to a new level. As a result, the alternative investment firm Ares Management has increased its investment in the club.
Ares Management invests $75M after Lionel Messi’s arrival
In an extreme expression of delight, the club announced the signing of Lionel Messi in a 40-second video captioned “Yes, guys.” Before his signing, Leo had turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League’s Al-Hilal. This offer could have made him the highest-paid athlete in the world, but he chose Inter Miami instead. Messi says excited to join the club, “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and the United States.”
He continued his ceremonial speech, saying, “This is a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve our objectives, and I’m eager to start helping here in my new home.”
In his approval of Messi’s arrival, Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s managing owner, says, “I am honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home. In 2018, we promised to build an ambitious club to attract the world’s elite players…Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality.”
Ares Management is investing an extra $75 million in Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club that’s riding high following the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi https://t.co/6EljZNMZk0
— Bloomberg (@business) August 4, 2023
Sports Business Journal says Inter Miami has received a capital infusion of $75 million equity from Ares Management, an alternative investment firm, following Messi’s signature for the club. The Ares Investment Initiative is independent of Inter Miami’s management. Still, they are expected to provide strategic advisory as Inter Miami builds her capital projects in the Miami Freedom Park & Soccer Village.
Ares Management’s investment in Inter Miami now totals $225M, and they sit patiently to coup the returns on their Investment.
Inter Miami is struggling to make the MLS playoffs
Inter Miami was in disarray before Messi’s arrival; they still are. Perhaps Lionel Messi has hopped on a wreck-bound ship. Inter Miami are nine points away from the playoff places, and they’ve got only eight matches left to play.
Messi will need his magic wand if they are to secure a place in the playoffs. The team would have been more precarious if Josef Martinez had not stepped with an acrobatic finish to get the team a leveler. Now they all have to work together to save this sinking ship.
The management of Inter Miami and the Lionel Messi faithful believe that Leo can turn the misfortunes of the team around because of the quality embedded in this football player. He’ll also have the help of some of his best friends, like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Only time will tell if the former Barcelona trio will be able to bring Inter Miami to the top of the MLS!
