With Messi, Inter Miami explodes on social networks and attracts more than 10 million followers

Lionel Messi already gives results to Inter Miami. Since his signing, the Argentine’s impact on the club has been huge. Even before taking the field, the number 10 had already shown the impact he could generate on social media for the modest American team. His presence multiplied the number of followers by about ten times, with emphasis on Instagram, which jumped from 1 million to 12 million followers.

Despite having only played around 40 minutes last Friday (25), in his debut, Messi managed, once again, to prove his relevance on and off the field – he scored a beautiful free-kick. The stadium was sold out almost two days before the match. In addition, the free kick scored by the number 10 in the last minute of the game was published on the club’s social networks and traveled around the world.

Considering only Twitter, the network on which the team has the lowest number of followers, the post reached more than 16 million people. On Instagram, Inter Miami’s largest network, the same post surpassed 1 million comments. For the second match for the team, scheduled for this Tuesday, against Atlanta United, similar numbers are expected in the nets.

The growth of Inter Miami in the nets since its arrival puts the club among the biggest in the country, regardless of the modality. American football franchises, which is the number one sport in the United States, do not even have half the followers of the Argentine team. And all this in a matter of months.

Considered one of the biggest franchises in the United States, due to its series of achievements in the 1980s and 90s, the Dallas Cowboys have around five million followers on Instagram. The same happens with the New England Patriots, the biggest champion in the NFL (American football league), which does not exceed 4.9 million on the network.

If Inter Miami were in the NBA (American basketball league), the “Messi factor” would have placed the team in the Top 5 among the most followed in networks. Current following numbers put the franchise behind only the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

In a comparison with Brazilian football, the Miami team would be the second most followed in the country on Instagram. Currently, Messi’s team would only be second to Flamengo, which has almost 18 million followers. Corinthians, with around 10 million, Palmeiras and São Paulo, with less than 6 million, are less followed than Inter Miami.

In the “real world”, the impact was also striking. After seasons at the bottom of the MLS (US Soccer League) table, Inter Miami began to have a greater demand for tickets for its home matches. According to the club’s owner, Jorge Mas, the demand for the team’s tickets this season has increased tenfold and has accelerated operations to increase the stadium’s capacity.

Currently, DRV PNK Stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people. For this Tuesday’s game, Messi’s second in the club’s shirt, there are still entries in most sectors. Ticket prices vary according to the sector chosen, but they start at U$S 169 (R$ 800).

celebrities at the stadium

Despite starting on the bench in his debut, Messi’s presence in the US has seen some of the sport’s stars even go to a football match. LeBron James, who is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, went to watch the game and got a hug from the Argentine before the duel between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul.

In addition to LeBron, Serena Williams, one of the references of world women’s tennis, and David Beckham, a former player and one of those responsible for Messi being at Inter Miami, were also at the stadium to see the Argentine’s debut. English is also an investor in the team.

*With information from CNN

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