Football superstar Lionel Messi commands a global fan base and is widely recognized as one of the best players in the sport, often compared to his rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
Reflecting his immense popularity, Messi’s No. 10 jersey for Inter Miami has topped Adidas’ MLS best-selling list for the second consecutive year, as reported by Sports Business Journal.
Since joining David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the United States, Messi has significantly boosted soccer’s popularity in America, attracting hundreds of new fans.
Messi’s presence has not only elevated Major League Soccer’s profitability, with league sponsorship reportedly increasing by 17% and club sponsorship revenue by 15%, but also transcended traditional endorsements. His influence extends to having drinks, cafes, and even a burger and chicken sandwich named after him.
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In addition to Messi, Uruguayan player Luis Suarez ranked second in top-selling Adidas jerseys on MLSstore.com from January 1 to April 30, followed by FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta and Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández.
Living a lavish lifestyle in the US, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner resides in a $10.75 million mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Miami.