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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Argentine icon chasing the American dream</li><li>Impact made on and off the field</li><li>Revenue on the rise at DRV PNK Stadium</li></ul>This page contains affiliate links. When you subscribe through the links provided, we may earn a commission.<a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Sign up here for MLS Season Pass through Apple TV and watch every MLS match, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami!</a><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘Reality has surpassed fiction’ – Lionel Messi to make MLS history as Inter Miami set Deloitte Football Money League target

Leagues Cup

Puebla

Inter Miami CF

The Florida-based outfit have enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence since Manchester United legend David Beckham and his fellow co-owners delivered an expansion franchise in 2020. They now have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi on their books</a>, and a first trophy in the cabinet after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">winning the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Inter Miami have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-effect-inter-miami-staggering-social-media-numbers-revealed-mls-side-soar-above-nfl-mls-nba-giants/bltc1643196ac903612" target="_blank">seen revenue rise to a club-record</a> $120 million (£95m) in 2023 – more than double what they posted 12 months ago – and the plan is to smash through the $200m (£158m) barrier. The club’s chief business officer, Xavier Asensi, has also aired ambitious plans to break into the top 20 of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/which-are-the-worlds-richest-football-clubs-in-2021/psbb7gblbm6j1m5mc753tv1us" target="_blank">prestigious Deloitte Football Money League</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

No team from the Americas has ever achieved that feat but, with Messi on board, anything is possible. Asensi has told the <a href="https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/12/04/inter-miami.aspx#:~:text=Bolstered%20by%20Lionel%20Messi%20joining,the%20club%20earned%20in%202022. " target="_blank">Sports Business Journal</a>: “If you have the right players, the business and the interest is there. It’s not a matter of the future — it’s happening right now.” Inter Miami could break into the top 25 as early as next year, with their star very much on the rise.

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi is allowing Inter Miami to live the dream, with audiences across the United States <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-no1-inter-miami-superstar-ranked-coolest-above-lebron-james-serena-williams-kim-kardashian/bltdca6f8797dda84cc" target="_blank">flocking to catch a glimpse of him</a> in action – while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/messi-meets-america-documentary-trailer-premiere-date-six-part-series-behind-the-scenes-mls-inter-miami/bltc1025056e6861c11" target="_blank">Apple TV are benefitting considerably</a> from subscription pass sales. The all-time great has already delivered on and off the field – exceeding all expectations – with Asensi adding: “Reality has surpassed fiction. We were aiming really high, and I think that we are there or higher.”

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

‘Reality has surpassed fiction’ – Lionel Messi to make MLS history as Inter Miami set Deloitte Football Money League target | Goal.com Uganda

Lionel Messi’s impact at Inter Miami means “reality has surpassed fiction”, with the MLS outfit now looking to make Football Money League history.