LIONEL MESSI ISN’T JUST PLAYING FOR INTER MIAMI — HE’S ABOUT TO BUY THE PLACE

Lionel Messi came to Miami and changed the entire landscape for the 305.

For everyone playing soccer here, they finally had a champion that they could rely on, campaign for. Someone that literally transcends soccer.

Messi dropped goals on half the league, sent ticket prices into the stratosphere, and turned pink jerseys into the hottest look in South Florida since the Versace era.

Now? Messi’s about to do something even wilder: stick around forever — as an owner.

Reports say Messi’s new deal with Inter Miami isn’t just about keeping him in MLS for the next two or three years. Once he hangs up those magical boots, Messi is expected to join the club’s ownership group.

Translation: The man who scored twice against DC United last weekend is about to start signing the paychecks.

David Beckham walked so Messi could run the front office.

If this all sounds familiar, it should. Beckham’s 2007 LA Galaxy deal came with a secret cheat code — the chance to buy an MLS expansion franchise for $25 million. That gamble turned into Inter Miami, which is now valued close to $1 billion. Not bad for a guy who used to play with teammates who had side gigs mowing lawns.

Messi’s version is bigger, flashier, and pure 305. His original Inter Miami contract already came with Apple and Adidas revenue-sharing perks. Now the new deal cements his post-retirement move into the boardroom. Beckham got in cheap. Messi’s buying in once the franchise is basically a unicorn.

This isn’t just Messi securing a soft landing. It’s Messi planting his flag in Miami as his permanent soccer empire.

THE BILLION-DOLLAR GOAT

Think about what this means for South Florida.

LeBron gave Miami “The Decision” for four years. Dwyane Wade will always be Mr. 305, but he eventually bounced to Chicago and Cleveland. Dan Marino is a legend, but his career ended with him hobbling around like your uncle in a Thanksgiving backyard game.

Messi’s saying: I’m here, I’m staying, and I’m buying the damn keys.

Miami already worships him. Since his arrival in 2023, Inter Miami’s attendance exploded, ticket prices went from $29 to $467 overnight, and the club’s Instagram following dwarfed the entire NFL.

Now he’s doubling down. He isn’t just passing through — he’s making Miami his last stop, both on and off the pitch.

It’s “Messi Forever 305.” Cue the mural painters in Wynwood.

Let’s talk money.

Beckham’s $25M gamble turned into a billion-dollar franchise. Messi’s ownership stake comes in when valuations are higher than Shaq’s grocery bill. Expansion fees in MLS are now half a billion dollars. Inter Miami is already closing in on a $1 billion valuation.

This is legacy wealth. Jordan bought into the Hornets. LeBron is eyeing Vegas for his NBA team. Brady dipped into the Raiders. Messi’s move puts him on that same billionaire-athlete-owner trajectory, except with more Instagram followers than the entire MLB combined.

He’s not just cashing MLS checks anymore — he’s writing them.

Here’s the crazy part: Messi isn’t limping to the finish line. He’s still that guy.

Just this weekend, he had two goals and an assist against DC United. That’s 22 league goals on the season at age 38. He’s tied Carlos Vela for most games with a goal + assist in MLS history.

Most athletes start plotting ownership when they’re washed. Messi’s still out here bending in curlers, sending goalkeepers into therapy, and then walking into ownership meetings like it’s just another Tuesday.

He’s basically doing load management for his business career while still cooking defenders.

MESSI’S FINAL FLEX

This is more than just Inter Miami’s win. It’s MLS finally learning how to weaponize superstardom. Beckham was the first blueprint. Zlatan gave the league a shot of chaos.

But Messi? He’s a permanent institution.

Global attention: Every Messi highlight is a viral event. Owning a piece of the club guarantees he’ll keep driving that even after retirement.

 

Recruiting tool: Who wouldn’t want to play for the club Messi owns? Imagine the next wave of South American stars choosing Miami because the GOAT runs it.

 

Cultural hub: Inter Miami isn’t just a team — it’s becoming the global soccer brand of the U.S. Messi’s ownership cements that identity.

For MLS, this is Beckham 2.0 with steroids. Except this time, the league better not sleep on marketing it.

At the end of the day, this is Messi’s ultimate power move.

Most players retire with a tearful press conference. Messi’s about to retire by sliding into the ownership group of a billion-dollar franchise in one of the most glamorous cities in the world.

He went from Barcelona’s crown jewel → PSG’s mercenary → Miami’s savior. And now he’s Miami’s landlord.

That’s not just GOAT behavior. That’s billionaire GOAT behavior.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Messi came to Miami and didn’t just change the club — he turned MLS into his personal side hustle. He sold out stadiums, jacked up Apple TV subs, turned $29 tickets into $500 cover charges, and gave South Florida a superstar we can actually brag about without getting laughed out of Europe. Now he’s lining up the encore.

When he retires, Messi’s not doing the sad goodbye tour. He’s grabbing the keys to Inter Miami like it’s a lease transfer and running the place himself.

From nutmegging defenders to negotiating ownership shares — Messi’s playing chess while everyone else is still learning Connect Four. And Miami? It’s officially Messi’s kingdom.

Pitbull might be Mr. 305, but Messi just bought the zip code.