- Messi’s number 10 Miami jersey has been selling at an unprecedented rate in recent months
- Beckham, co-owner of the club, has even struggled to get his hands on one
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Messi mania has swept American football so much that even David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami and one of the most famous players of all time, has struggled to get his hands on his number 10 jersey.
Miami made one of the biggest signings of all time in MLS by bringing Lionel Messi to the United States in July, just seven months after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s arrival caused a stir in America, with ticket prices for matches in Miami skyrocketing and merchandise selling like never before.
According to the New York TimesMessi’s pink number 10 Miami shirt has sold so quickly that even Beckham has had to wait to send some as gifts to friends.
Despite being part owner of the organization and a global celebrity, Becks has found it difficult to get his hands on a Messi jersey since luring the Barcelona legend to Miami, with Adidas reportedly selling more than they could make .
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami shirt has sold so well that even David Beckham is struggling to get his hands on it
Miami caused a stir in American football by luring Messi to the DRV PNK Stadium last summer
Adidas has sold more of its No. 10 Miami jerseys than they could make
As a result, Inter’s shirt is now the best-selling football shirt in North America, leaving behind traditional European giants Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Sportswear king Fanatics has sold more Messi jerseys than any other athlete aside from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, with no player in any sport ever selling more on the site in the first 24 hours after switching teams.
The supply-and-demand issue is not expected to persist into the 2024 season, but the manufacturer is now confident it has enough of the next edition of Messi’s jersey to meet this requirement.
Inter Miami’s next kit will be released in February ahead of the new MLS season, which will be Messi’s first full season in the United States.
The 36-year-old missed the first four months of last season after joining from Paris St-Germain in July, meaning he could not help them reach the MLS play-offs this year.
Miami’s season is now over after they missed the play-offs, although Messi still guided them to a first-ever piece of silverware in the Leagues Cup final in August.
Tata Martino’s men also reached the final of the US Open Cup, where they were defeated by Houston Dynamo at the DRV PNK Stadium.
David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets dined together to celebrate Miami’s season
Ticket prices for next season have already soared in value with Messi set to be in Miami’s ranks from the start, with the team attracting record attendances since he arrived.
Beckham paid tribute to Inter Miami last weekend after the final match of the season when he joined Messi and Sergio Busquets to celebrate the club’s first piece of silverware during a night out for dinner in Vice City.
The ex-England captain put his arm around his eldest son, Brooklyn, 24, as he posed for photos with both former Barcelona players, who played an integral role in Miami’s successful second half of the season.