Lionel Messi’s influence at Inter Miami has been far-reaching, breaking ticket and jersey sales records. The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner once broke Tom Brady’s jersey sale record when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and crushed LeBron James record sale after joining LA Lakers in 2018.
Messi’s arrival brought Inter Miami the kind of fame they had never really experienced, and the team even secured their first-ever silverware in franchise history in Leo Messi’s presence. Alongside these incredible feats, jersey sale record also skyrocketed so much that the club has gotten approval to release a third kit with a unique and widely accepted Dolphin-inspired design.
Inter Miami to release unique Dolphins-inspired kit for 2024 MLS season
Lionel Messi’s impact in the Major League Soccer and particularly at Inter Miami is indeed incredible and far-reaching. His sensational move to Inter Miami has brought the club a significant amount of financial benefit that the release of a third kid is not a financial bother for the club.
Lionel Messi became fans and celebrities’ favourite as soon as he arrived in the United States. It was as though football had arrived at their doorstep. Hence, it was only wise that Inter Miami follow up this widespread acceptance by appealing to the MLS populace and particularly Inter Miami fans with their Dolphins-inspired kit for the 2024 MLS season.
The immense popularity of Lionel Messi, often referred to as ‘Messi mania,’ has become evident as Inter Miami experiences overwhelming demand for their shirts. Inter Miami, partly owned by David Beckham, has received special permission to launch a third strip due to the unprecedented demand for merchandise.
This unique situation is mirrored by several other Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, including LAFC, LA Galaxy, Kansas City, and Portland Timbers, where Adidas is set to manufacture additional kits to meet the high demand.
Lionel Messi’s impact on Inter Miami jersey sales
The arrival of Lionel Messi’s influence and popularity in the MLS has sparked a widespread acceptance on such wide scale that Inter Miami has itself significantly grown in popularity.
Inter Miami’s newly acquired popularity has afforded it the special dispensation to release a third strip. Hence, Adidas have plans in place to produce and release a new set of kits for Inter Miami alongside LA Galaxy, Kansas City, Portland Timbers etc.
These clubs became entitled to this privilege after they sold over 10,000 jerseys last season. Since the new releases hit the market only recently, it is not certain that it will have thesame impact as the previously released jersey but it is believed that this is highly probable with Lionel Messi’s presence in the MLS.