Hello, soccer fans! Grab your jerseys and your vuvuzelas, and get ready to pack DRV PNK Stadium, in Fort Lauderdale, because we've got some exciting news to discuss.
A legend has arrived on our shores. Yes, you've probably heard the whispers already, but let me confirm it – Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has joined Inter Miami CF!
Now, if you're like me, the moment you heard the news, you probably did a double-take. Messi, the man who practically defined Barcelona, swapping the grandeur of Camp Nou for the vibrant energy of Miami? It's a big move, no doubt. But let me tell you, it’s a thrilling development for soccer here in the States.
First let's look at his accomplishments, and then we can look at WHY he came!
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi's football journey began with his local club, Newell's Old Boys. However, it was with FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team that he truly etched his name into the annals of football history.
Starting his career at FC Barcelona, Messi has left an indelible mark on the club and its history. He has won numerous titles, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. His performances in these competitions were key in helping Barcelona achieve such success. Notably, in the 2008-2009 season, Messi was instrumental in helping Barcelona win a treble: the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. This was the first time in the club's history that such a feat was achieved.
One of Messi's most memorable performances came in the 2010-2011 Champions League final against Manchester United, where he scored the second goal in a 3-1 victory. This victory helped Barcelona secure their third Champions League title and cemented Messi's reputation as a player of extraordinary talent.
Messi has also been a consistent goal-scorer, becoming Barcelona's all-time leading scorer. His record-breaking 73 goals in the 2011-2012 season across all competitions is an example of his scoring prowess. Messi surpassed Barcelona legend César Rodríguez's record of 232 goals to become the club's all-time top scorer in 2012. He eventually left Barcelona in 2021 with a staggering 672 goals from 778 appearances.
In 41 games in the 2022-2023 season Messi scored 21 goals.
He's become for many the face of soccer along with fellow titan Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi, also shines brightly off the pitch with his philanthropic endeavors. The Leo Messi Foundation, established in 2007, is a testament to his commitment to making a difference. Focused on providing education and healthcare to vulnerable children, Messi's foundation has touched countless lives in Argentina, Spain, and beyond.
Beyond the scope of his foundation, Messi demonstrates his generosity with personal donations, including a significant contribution to a Barcelona hospital's pediatric oncology unit. His heartfelt act brings comfort to numerous children and their families during challenging times.
Messi's philanthropy extends to disaster relief too. When Argentina faced severe flooding, he supported the recovery, providing food, shelter, and essentials to those affected. Moreover, his participation in charity matches, a fusion of his love for football and charity, raises funds for a variety of causes.
But why did it all happen? Messi coming to Miami of all places!
There's lots of controversy! He already purportedly turned down Saudi deal worth ballpark 1 billion dollars!
In fact, according to Forbes 2022 edition, Messi is worth over 100 million dollars. After that he reportedly gained ballpark 75 million from last year's play. And that's before his staggering 54 million dollar Inter Miami paycheck.
That ranks Messi amongst the biggest earners in the entire world of sports, surpassing even top NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rogers "tiny" 50 million salary.
Even amidst the spotlight and fame, Messi has been consistently private about his personal life. However, it's no secret that his love story with Antonela Roccuzzo, his lifelong partner, reads like a script straight out of a heartwarming movie.
Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo's love story began in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, where they met when Messi was just nine years old. Antonela is the cousin of Messi's childhood friend, Lucas Scaglia, who also became a professional footballer. Their friendship blossomed into love as they grew up, and the bond between them was undeniable even at a young age.
When Messi moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona's La Masia Academy at 13, the physical distance did nothing to sever the emotional connection between the pair. They stayed in touch, with Messi returning to Rosario during the holidays, and their love story quietly developed away from the media's prying eyes.
Their relationship only became public in 2009, a few years after they started dating. Messi, who had always been private about his personal life, confirmed the speculations after being spotted with Antonela on numerous occasions. From that point on, the world began to see the profound connection between the two, which extended far beyond the football field.
Messi and Antonela got married in a star-studded ceremony in their hometown of Rosario on June 30, 2017. Their wedding, often referred to as the 'wedding of the century,' saw the who's who of the football world come together to celebrate their love. The ceremony served as a testament to their enduring bond and a celebration of a love that had withstood the test of time and distance.
Today, the couple has three children: Thiago Messi Roccuzzo, Mateo Messi Roccuzzo, and Ciro Messi Roccuzzo. Messi often shares snippets of his life as a doting father and a loving husband on his social media, giving fans a glimpse into the familial bliss he shares with Antonela and their children.
Which all begs the giant 50 million dollar (or is it billions and billions) question...
So why did he do it?
Uproot and move to Miami, with a much smaller Soccer market?
The United States has seen significant growth in soccer popularity over the past few decades, particularly with younger generations. This growth is reflected in Major League Soccer (MLS) attendance, TV ratings, youth participation, and the success of the U.S. Women's National Team.
According to a 2020 Forbes report, the MLS's average team value rose to $313 million, representing a 30% increase compared to the previous five-year period. However, these figures are still dwarfed by the colossal revenues of American sports like NFL, NBA, or MLB.
In contrast, the global football market is enormous, especially in regions such as Europe and South America, where the sport is deeply ingrained in the culture. The English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1 are among the most lucrative and watched football leagues worldwide.
As an example, according to Deloitte's Annual Review of Football Finance 2020, the 'big five' European leagues generated a record €17bn in revenue in 2018/19. Globally, FIFA estimated the football industry's market size to be worth $600bn annually.
So you're talking Messi coming out of this mega billion dollar market for a market in the hundreds of millions...
Here's my fun conspiracy theory...
In an extraordinary show of unity, Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentinian footballer, staged a brash 2016 boycott that sent ripples through the world of soccer. This unexpected move came in response to accusations from the Argentinian media alleging marijuana use by one of Messi's teammates.
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/news/a50769/lionel-messi-media-boycott/
While the exact details of the accusations remain shrouded in mystery, what is clear is Messi's unwavering support for his teammates. A pivotal figure both on and off the pitch, Messi's decision to boycott has drawn global attention, sparking widespread discussions about ethics, solidarity, and the role of the media in sports.
This incident came amidst a 2016 season full of challenges and triumphs for Messi. As a pivotal player for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi's performance was been exceptional.
So now Messi is in Miami, where marijuana is legal (with a card) and you can freely get Delta 8 and Delta 9 anywhere!
Coincidence?
I'm not saying Messi partakes in MJ, though he does make you wonder some times! But hey, this way no more need for boycott either way! Messi and his teammates can smoke all they want without worry.
Regardless of whether my theory is right (let me know if you see Messi sparking up at the valet at Fontainebleau!) Messi is here and it's Miami's time
