The game-changing influence of Lionel Messi’s move to MLS has become evident with Inter Miami receiving a valuable opportunity owing to their strong commercial influence.
The MLS has granted Inter Miami special permission to create a third-kit, highlighting the significant impact of Lionel Messi’s move to the club. Sales of the team’s jerseys have exceeded 100,000, prompting the development of an additional change strip. Since Messi’s arrival in the United States in 2023, he has received an unprecedented response from fans, reminiscent of the reception given to rock stars. His jerseys, featuring his iconic No. 10, have become highly sought-after fashion items, attracting not only dedicated supporters but also influential figures like Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, and LeBron James. As a result of the overwhelming “Messi mania,” MLS has allowed Inter Miami to design a special kit for 2024, inspired by the colors of the Miami Dolphins.
Fans around the globe have shown immense enthusiasm for the Inter Miami shirts, as evidenced by their overwhelming popularity. Owned by the legendary David Beckham, the Major League Soccer franchise has potentially struck gold with their homage to the two-time Super Bowl champions. Notably, other MLS teams such as LAFC, LA Galaxy, Kansas City, and Portland Timbers will also have the privilege of donning a third-kit in the upcoming season.
The Dolphins are widely known for their iconic turquoise jerseys, accented with orange and white piping. This distinctive color scheme is a bold departure from Vice City’s customary pale pink attire. However, there is potential for a kit that not only pays subtle homage to another beloved sporting institution in Florida but also garners attention on both a local and global scale.
The fact that over 100,000 jerseys have been sold is a testament to the cultural impact of Messi’s transition to the United States in less than half a year. Surprisingly, the sales of the Herons’ famous pale pink shirts have shattered previous records, surpassing even the sales of Tom Brady’s jerseys after his move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Additionally, according to Tor Southard, the senior director of Adidas’ football division, the number of orders skyrocketed to an astonishing 500,000 after Messi’s declaration of his relocation to Miami during the summer. Surpassing the order count achieved by big-name clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal within the corresponding timeframe.
In addition, Miami shirts have also gained popularity in the fashion world, catching the attention of Vogue Magazine. The magazine recognized these jerseys as one of the must-have items of the year, highlighting the fact that the demand for jerseys with Messi’s name demonstrates his exceptional star power.
Vogue explained their decision by stating, “As soon as the announcement about Messi was made, the generic Inter Miami jersey, in an unexpected shade of pink, quickly sold out, leading to an influx of counterfeit versions. Even now, after almost five months, the official Messi jersey, featuring his iconic number 10, remains in high demand and is wait-listed for most sizes on the Adidas website.”
