MLS allow Inter Miami to break strict rules because of Lionel Messi
Today at 06:33 AM
Lionel Messi’s impact on the MLS has been so great that Inter Miami are being allowed to break longstanding league rules.
The Argentine superstar‘s influence since making the move Stateside has been unprecedented, with his effect on the US top-flight going well beyond his impressive on-field exploits.
With the Herons’ rock bottom of the MLS at the time of his arrival in July 2023, Messi’s arrival has transformed his side’s fortunes.
His 30 goals in 34 games have seen him guide the David Beckham-owned franchise to two trophies, most recently claiming the league’s Supporters’ Shield.
Having topped the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami are now among the favourites to lift the MLS Cup with victory in the play-offs.
But it isn’t just on the pitch where Messi’s presence has been felt, with both his employers and the MLS reaping the financial rewards.
Since his move to Vice City, the Florida outfit have signed 11 major multi-million deals, including with car giants Audi, and club revenue has reportedly quadrupled to $200million a year as a result.
And with Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt ranking as the MLS’ top-selling Adidas jersey for the second year in a row, the US top-flight are now set to cash in on his huge impact.
According to Footy Headlines, Inter Miami will break with MLS tradition and release new home and away kits for the 2025 season.
Typically, teams in the US league introduce one new strip each year, alternating between home and away, while the other is carried over from the previous season.
But with MLS jersey sales increasing by 41 per cent overall in the last two years, surely due in no small part to Messi’s arrival, fans will now have greater choice over the design they chose to pay homage to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Pieter Brown, host of fan-run YouTube channel Futbol Miami TV, explained why Inter Miami will be granted the special exemption.
He said: "They sell more jerseys than anybody else in the league. So much so that they're going to be allowed to break MLS rules.
"Basically, [every team] gets a new jersey every year but it's every other year for the home or away.
“[Inter Miami] is breaking tradition because they sell a boatload of jerseys because Inter Miami, MLS, and Adidas can make a whole lot more money if everybody who already bought the pink jersey will buy the new pink jersey."
The new home strip will launch in March 2025, and is expected to pay tribute to Messi’s achievements in a pink-on-pink design.
Fans will not certainly be short of options, with the new jersey complementing the already-scheduled release of a new away kit early next year.
Inter were also recently one of a few sides to receive a vintage-inspired Adidas third strip in Miami Dolphins colours.
