MLS
Google search data shows the astonishing impact of Lionel Messi on Inter Miami and MLS
Interest in The Herons and Major League Soccer has gone through the roof since Messi’s arrival, with Manchester United unable to keep up.
After just a few weeks, the “Lionel Messi effect” on Inter Miami and MLS is already plain for all to see. The former Barcelona star’s arrival at DRV PNK Stadium has shone the spotlight on soccer in the United States like never before, to such an extent that the league has left one of Europe’s powerhouse clubs trailing in its wake online.
How many times were Inter Miami searched for on Google in July?
Data shows the Herons were searched for 8.2 million times in July, with Messi making his debut for the club on the 21st of the month against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. You might not be surprised to hear that made it a record-breaking month for the Florida club.
According to a study carried out by JeffBet, those figures mean that searches for Inter Miami have gone up by an incredible 10,426% compared to average levels since the club was founded in 2018.
Inter Miami jersey searches
On top of that, again compared to the average over the last five years, there has been a 6,111% increase in searches for ‘Inter Miami jersey’ worldwide, with more than 130,000 searches since the beginning of June, according to Google Trends statistics. How many of those purchased end up with ‘Messi 10′ on the back? The numbers aren’t out there just yet, but you can be sure it’ll be a significant percentage.
David Beckham overtakes Manchester United
That data means that Inter Miami have now become a more searched club than Manchester United, arguably the most commercially successful soccer brand in the world, since Messi landed in Florida. And, of course, the irony that co-owner David Beckham has played an instrumental role in his new team overtaking his old one won’t be lost on anyone.
Messi-mania hits Dallas
The Argentina captain has scored five goals in three appearances since moving to Miami, helping his team progress to the round of 16 of the 2023 Leagues Cup. In the next round, The Herons will travel to FC Dallas, who revealed that tickets to watch the clash at Toyota Stadium on Sunday 6 August sold out in just 18 minutes.