Even the owner has to wait for a Messi jersey
David Beckham also had to wait to get his hands on a Lionel Messi jersey with the number 10 for Inter Miami.
This is because Adidas, the sportswear brand that manufactures the team’s uniforms, is struggling to meet the demand for Inter Miami jerseys. According to The New York Times, even Beckham has to wait to get some Messi kits to send to family and friends.
Messi is undoubtedly the most significant signing ever to appear in Major League Soccer (MLS), with only Pelé rivaling him for the title of the most significant acquisition in the history of American soccer. It’s no surprise that a frenzy surrounding La Pulga has spread throughout the United States.
The Messi effect
On the verge of winning an eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, a record number, the demand for his jerseys and tickets to see him play has surged, even beyond Beckham’s control, who is a partial owner of the football club.
However, it is expected that the demand will subside for the 2024 season, as the German manufacturer is now confident in its ability to keep up with the incredible demand.
Inter Miami will unveil its next jersey in February, marking the first full year of Messi’s time in the United States with the Florida-based club.
He joined them in July 2023 and immediately transformed them into a more competitive team alongside his former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The club reached the final of the Open USA Cup in the United States but was defeated by Houston Dynamo.
They managed to win the Leagues Cup against Nashville SC; however, their turnaround came too late to make it to the MLS playoffs.
Messi sells more jerseys than almost anyone
The Inter Miami jersey is now the best-selling soccer jersey in North America and has even surpassed historic European clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Juventus.
Fanatics, a sportswear brand, reported that the Argentine had outsold all other athletes except for Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
They also noted that no player in any sport has sold more jerseys than Messi in the first 24 hours after switching to a new club.
