Lionel Messi is set to defend Las Garzas next season, and GOAL breaks down what the world champion can expect from Argentina’s squad as he joins Inter Miami. Messi has chosen a fresh chapter after his stop with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, with a move to the Major League Soccer franchise coached by David Beckham already making waves across North American football. The move came after he confirmed that a return to Barcelona was off the table and that a contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal would not be pursued. With 32 goals and 35 assists in 74 appearances for PSG, Messi leaves Parque de los Príncipes as one of the most decorated players in the sport and arrives in South Florida hoping to add new chapters to an already legendary career. The expectation is high as he joins a club aiming to transform MLS fortunes and grow as a brand in a market hungry for signature football talent.
When was Inter Miami founded?
Inter Miami, affectionately known as The Herons, began taking shape in 2012 but was officially established in 2018 by Marcelo Claure, Masayoshi Son, and David Beckham. In 2021 the Mas brothers, Jorge and José, became the majority shareholders after purchasing stakes previously held by Bolivian and Japanese investors. The club’s leadership has described the journey as a shared one, noting the contributions of supporters and investors who helped push MLS growth during the club’s early years. Ares Management joined as a preferred equity investor, signaling the franchise’s expanding financial footprint as it positioned itself for future growth and player acquisitions.
How many titles do you have?
Las Garzas have spent three seasons in Major League Soccer and have yet to lift a league trophy. Their debut campaign saw them finish tenth with 24 points, despite a substantial investment in talent, including Julián Carranza, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Matías Pellegrini. In their second season the team improved to eleventh place while carving out a notable run of 11 games with only one loss, and the squad began to integrate Academy graduates such as Edison Azcona, Ian Fray, and Felipe Valencia. This past season, the club faced a tougher test, finishing with 15 points and trailing the pace-setters, a gap larger than what the supporters hoped for. The playoff quest has been elusive, with changes in coaching and a steady stream of high-profile signings, including Kieran Gibbs, Blaise Matuidi, Alejandro Pozuelo, and Gonzalo Higuaín, who briefly shared a locker room with his brother during MLS’s early years. Inter Miami now aims to alter its trajectory under interim coach Javier Morales, who will be taking the reins for the first time in management.
What role does Beckham play?
Beckham remains the most recognizable figure in the club’s leadership and a key investor, sharing ownership with Jorge and Jose Mas. This group controls substantial stakes initially held by Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son, and Beckham’s influence extends across negotiations, branding, and the stadium’s operations at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The partnership structure underlines a strategy to blend star power with sound business planning, aligning the club’s on-field ambitions with a solid commercial foundation in North America.
Reports indicate that Messi’s arrival could extend beyond the pitch, with MLS media rights, subscriber models, and Adidas sponsorships poised to participate in the broader economics of his presence. There is also a note about docuseries potential, capitalizing on the Argentine star’s path toward international glory and his journey through European and American football. While specifics remain fluid, the broader picture suggests a significant push to leverage Messi’s global appeal to boost MLS viewership and sponsorship value, a trend that aligns with the league’s ongoing expansion plans.
It should be remembered that Messi — who could debut in late July against a Mexican opponent in a friendly tournament — arrives in a region preparing to host major tournaments that will shape North American soccer in the coming years, including Copa América, the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted with Mexico and Canada, and continued MLS growth.
At press time, the focus remains on how Messi’s presence will influence Inter Miami’s tactical setup, youth development pathways, and the overall competitiveness of MLS, as the club seeks to redefine its identity and place in the league’s evolving landscape. The narrative around Messi’s move is as much about the symbolism of a global icon joining a rising team as it is about on-field performance and the broader implications for American soccer.
Note: This overview reflects current reporting and analysis as understood by major North American sports outlets and football outlets covering the league and player movements. The discussion incorporates perspective from multiple industry sources to provide context on the potential impact of Messi’s arrival and Inter Miami’s strategic direction.