Messi’s craze has crept through US soccer to the point where even David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami and one of the most famous players of all time, has been unable to obtain his No. 10 shirt.
Miami made one of the most significant MLS signings in history when it brought Lionel Messi to the United States in July, barely seven months after he led Argentina to a World Cup triumph.
The advent of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner generated a frenzy in America, with ticket prices for Miami-related matches rising and goods selling like hotcakes.
Miami sparked a frenzy in US soccer by luring Messi to DRV PNK Stadium over the summer
Adidas has been selling more of his No 10 Miami jerseys than they have been able to make
According to the New York Times, Messi’s pink No. 10 Miami shirt has sold so quickly that even Beckham has had to wait to send some as gifts to friends.
Despite being a part-owner of the company and global fame, Becks has struggled to obtain a Messi shirt since bringing the Barcelona great to Miami, with Adidas reportedly selling more than they can produce.
As a result, Inter’s jersey has surpassed traditional European powers Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal to become the best-selling soccer shirt in North America.
King of sports apparel Apart from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Fanatics has sold more Messi jerseys than any other athlete, with no player in any sport ever selling more on the site in the first 24 hours after moving teams.
Nonetheless, the supply-and-demand issue is not anticipated to persist in the 2024 season, with the manufacturer now sure that it has enough of the next version of Messi’s jersey to match demand.
The new Inter Miami kit will be launched in February, ahead of the 2019 MLS season, which will be Messi’s first full season in the United States.
The 36-year-old missed the first four months of the previous season after joining Paris St-Germain in July, preventing him from helping the club reach the MLS playoffs this year.
Miami’s season is finished after missing the playoffs, but Messi did lead them to their first piece of silverware in the Leagues Cup final in August.
Tata Martino’s team also advanced to the US Open Cup final at DRV PNK Stadium, but Houston Dynamo defeated them.
David Beckham, Lionel Messi & Sergio Busquets dined together to celebrate Miami’s season
Ticket prices for next season have already skyrocketed, with Messi expected to join the team from the start, with the team garnering record numbers since his arrival.
Beckham paid tribute to Inter Miami after the team’s final game of the season last weekend, when he celebrated the club’s first trophy with Messi and Sergio Busquets on a night out for dinner in Vice City.
The ex-England captain held his eldest son, Brooklyn, 24, while posing for photos with both former Barcelona players, who were instrumental in Miami’s victorious second half of the season.