Lionel Messi set for huge financial windfall as MLS gamble pays off for Inter Miami star

Lionel Messi is reportedly set for a huge financial windfall as the Argentine’s Major League Soccer gamble pays off.

Back in the summer of 2023, there was constant speculation about Argentine legend Messi’s future amid reports that he wanted to leave French side Paris Saint Germain.

In July, it was officially confirmed that Messi had signed for MLS side Inter Miami on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Since joining the club, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions.

As the first anniversary of Messi’s arrival in Miami approaches, it has been reported that the 36-year-old could be set for a huge financial windfall.

This is due to the fact that the number of subscribers for the MLS Season Pass has reportedly doubled since Messi joined Inter Miami.

According to Sports Business Journal, the streaming service launched by MLS and Apple had less than a million subscribers prior to Messi’s transfer.

Now, it has been claimed that the number of subscribers has surpassed two million.

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A report by The Athletic stated that Messi could be offered a share of the revenue generated by new MLS Season Pass subscribers.

Last year, Apple announced their deal with the MLS, which is set to last for the next 10 years and is worth a whopping $2.5 billion.

Recently, Inter Miami made unwanted headlines during their pre-season tour in Hong Kong after fans were left furious by Messi’s absence.

The Argentine played no part in the club’s friendly match against a local XI due to injury but fans were not happy.

Messi said: “The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t (play) on the day of the Hong Kong match.

“Unfortunately, in football, things can happen in any game, that we may have an injury. It’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these games when we travel so far and people are so excited to see our matches.”