Lionel Messi, a prominent player for Inter Miami, tops the list of MLS jerseys that will sell the most in 2023, the league revealed on Friday.
The 36-year-old World Cup winner topped the list, which was based on sales made on MLS’s online store between January 1 and September 12, even though he only made his Miami debut in July.
The Argentine is followed in the top five by João Klauss of St. Louis City SC, Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC, Sebastián Driussi of Austin FC, and Carlos Vela of LAFC.
Sergio Busquets (No. 13) and Josef Martínez (No. 21), Messi’s colleagues at his club, were both listed among the top 25 jerseys sold in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Messi’s career at Miami has taken off. In just 12 games, he has scored 11 goals and provided five assists, helping his new team win the Leagues Cup and advance to the U.S. Open Cup final.
But he’s been dealing with a bothersome leg ailment lately, which kept him out of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final loss to the Houston Dynamo.
With just five games remaining in the regular season, Miami is hoping to make a late push into the MLS Cup playoffs. He is still doubtful for Saturday’s encounter against New York City FC.