Lionel Messi effect! Inter Miami's staggering social media numbers revealed as MLS side soar above NFL, MLB and NBA giants

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner captured the imagination of an MLS audience when completing a stunning move to the United States in 2023. Within weeks of his arrival in Florida, he had inspired Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph and cemented his place as the most-decorated player in history.

It is not just on the field that his presence is being felt, though, with Messi proving to be a commercial dream. He has shifted replica shirts at a record-breaking rate and continues to attract sponsors and A-list guests aplenty to DRV PNK Stadium.

David Beckham and his fellow co-owners are benefiting considerably from having Messi around, with it revealed that Inter Miami now top plenty of social media charts in the U.S. They boast more followers on TikTok (7.3m) than any side in NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL circles – while only basketball superpowers the LA Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors can claim to best the MLS outfit’s haul of 15.4m followers on Instagram.

Inter Miami have also seen a surge in their average attendance – which was a league-worst 12,637 prior to Messi’s arrival – with ticket prices being raised ahead of the 2024 campaign as they seek to generate even more funds on the pitch and get more eyes on their endeavours off it.