Inter Miami is boosting up its efforts to lure world champion Lionel Messi to the MLS as both Apple and Adidas have joined forces with the club.
Both the Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are finalizing details to attract Lionel Messi to the American League.
David Beckham had previously expressed his desire to see Messi join his club Inter Miami. And now it is a strong possibility.
According to The Athletic, many sources informed on the discussions, are saying there is growing optimism that Inter Miami will be able to bring the World Cup champion to MLS as soon as this summer. According to those sources, faith in a contract with Messi has wavered from week to week, and even from day to day.
MLS, Inter Miami, and Team Lionel Messi are in talks over a massive possible deal
MLS officials believe that the final decision is down to Inter Miami or Barcelona. The bid from Al Hilal will be rejected as Messi doesn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia.
The momentum has shifted to Miami now for Messi’s camp and Barcelona will have a hard time convincing Messi. Messi’s camp wants a firm guarantee that he will be registered but Barca cannot provide it. Their financial problems mean that they will be struggling to fit Messi into the wage bill.
MLS club Inter Miami CF has emerged as the front-runner to sign Lionel Messi, sources have told ESPN.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 7, 2023
Although no deal is done yet, sources said terms include an option for part-ownership of the MLS club and that Messi has ruled out Barcelona.
More: https://t.co/kco7Rg7rgB pic.twitter.com/OTMX0KFU2o
That same source offered a possible date for Messi’s MLS debut, should he sign: Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul on July 21, which is presently scheduled to take place at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.
One source was reported as saying, “The league has gotten very creative with all of this. Everything is on the table.”
It’s clear that the MLS considers Messi a priority signing. They will host the World Cup in 2026 and want the local leagues to gain as much international attention as possible. And who better to bring fame and revenue than Lionel Messi himself?
Apple, Adidas reportedly involved in Lionel Messi’s MLS, Inter Miami deal discussion
Inter Miami will receive support from two of the league’s biggest partners: Adidas and Apple.
The sources say that MLS and Apple have agreed to give Messi a percentage of the revenue generated when new subscribers join the MLS Season Pass. The MLS Season Pass is the official streaming channel of the league on Apple TV+.
Apple recently signed a 10-year agreement with the league worth $2.5 billion. Apple TV+ will also release a documentary based on Lionel Messi’s World Cup success. If Messi joins MLS, the channel will gain more subscribers which will be beneficial for Apple. As such, it is in the interest of both to attract Messi to the league.
The deal MLS is putting together to lure Leo Messi is truly unprecedented.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 7, 2023
✅ Profit sharing with Apple
✅ Adidas offering up a cut as well
✅ “(MLS) has gotten very creative.”
➕ more news on Tata Martino’s link to Miami.
w/ @FelipeCar & @MLSist: https://t.co/MNxjUldi9O
Adidas is the MLS’s biggest ally. They are historically connected since 1996 and have designed all the MLS teams’ kits and the official match ball of the league. They also signed a new deal until 2030 worth $830 million.
Adidas already sponsors Messi- the biggest asset of the company. They are connected since 2006 and Messi signed a lifetime agreement back in 2017.
Moreover, now they are also chipping in to entice Messi. He will be given a percentage of the revenue generated when Messi joins the league.
Messi will also be given some shares of the club and possibly be given the option to own a future MLS club when he retires.
It’s safe to say that the MLS is doing everything to bring Messi to the United States. If it happens, soccer itself will be changed by the dynamics of this transfer.
