Reviewing the North American press during these days of maximum effervescence around Leo Messiat least in a couple of publications have used the term ‘barcelonization’ when referring to Inter Miami and his desire to establish himself as a brand in US soccer. Actually, they use the word ‘barcelonification’. They say it more than anything because of the recent addition to the Florida franchise of several names with a Barça past.
Messi, who finally signed the contract with Inter Miami on Saturday (a whole month elapsed between the announcement of the signing and what was the writing, study and signature of the documentation), built his career, from the age of 13, at Barcelona; by your side you will have Sergio Busquets, reduced to a troupe in the Messi show; Rosario’s Tata Martino will train both, a season at Barça not very memorable. And who knows if he will end up landing there too Jordi Alba, a good friend of Messi and Busquets.
But the ‘barcelonization’ or ‘barcelonification’ extends to offices, in Coral Gables. There the figure of Catalan stands out Xavier Asensi, 42 years old. He is the general director of the franchise, what in the US they call Chief Business Officer, since 2021.
awkward times
That year he answered the call from Miami and left FC Barcelona just before the elections won by Joan Laporta. At Barça he had been global commercial director since 2018. And before, since 2011, he had been in Hong Kong with the mission of opening the Asian market for the club.
WELCOME 1️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/df1TJQQoYv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023
His last months in the entity were marked by Barçagate. He was among those who refused to endorse I3Ventures’ service fees being charged to the Hong Kong office. Turbulent and uncomfortable times for him that he has been able to put behind him.
With a degree in International Business, Asensi leads the business operations and commercial strategies of Inter Miami and reports directly to the owner of the franchise, the Cuban-American Jorge Mas (also owner of Zaragoza). Asensi was instrumental in closing Messi’s contract, with negotiations in Barcelona with Jorge Messi, the footballer’s father and agent.
messi as flag
The other Catalan with Barça on his resume is Víctor Oliver, industrial engineer who has signed as vice president of revenue and operations of the club facilities. His signing was announced on June 30 after six years at FC Barcelona doing similar work. Hierarchically he will be below Asensi.
Messi: “I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy”
It will depend on him maximum profitability of ‘ticketing’, parking lots, restaurants, drink stalls or events, among other matters. In a league like MLS, which centralizes television rights and a large part of commercial exploitation, the income of each franchise falls largely on what they are able to achieve in their stadiums. And Miami will open a new one, Miami Freedom Park, in 2025, for 25,000 spectators.
With Messi as a flag, any sale is easier. And in Miami they think that the man from Rosario will lead a before and after in US soccer. And in this story there will be a Barcelona accent, somehow.
2023-07-17 09:06:46
#PRESENTATION #MESSI #barcelonization #Inter #Miami
