Inter Miami CF’s recent match against CF Montreal in the MLS delivered an extraordinary display, highlighted by Lionel Messi anchoring the starting lineup in a fixture that also featured a reunion with Alexis Sánchez, according to match reports from Diario AS and ESPN Deportes.
Messi Leads Inter Miami Past Montreal
The fixture generated intense global interest as Lionel Messi took the pitch as a starter for Inter Miami against a CF Montreal side featuring Alexis Sánchez, marking a notable encounter between the two players in North American soccer, as reported by ESPN Deportes and Clarin.com. Tactical previews from Sports Illustrated had pointed to Messi anchoring the attack, a prediction borne out as the match unfolded.
Reporting from outlets such as Yahoo detailed a commanding performance from the forward, who delivered a four-goal display—commonly referred to as a poker—to drive Inter Miami to a comprehensive victory over Montreal.
The Broader Economic and Cultural Impact on MLS
Beyond the immediate pitch action, the presence of players like Messi continues to reshape the financial and operational landscape of Major League Soccer. The arrival of Messi transformed Inter Miami’s global standing and the league’s economic footprint.
Club social media following surged from approximately two million to 50 million, while average MLS attendance rose by roughly 20% following Messi’s debut. Global streaming figures doubled during his first ten matches, and the league registered a record attendance of over 11.4 million fans across the 2023–24 season.
Ticket Demand and Venue Shifts
The high demand to watch Inter Miami play away fixtures has forced clubs to adapt their logistical planning. Teams altered their home venues to accommodate larger crowds, citing a notable April 19 fixture where the Columbus Crew moved their match against Inter Miami from Lower.com Field in Columbus—capacity 20,371—to Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, home of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, boosting capacity to 60,614.
That particular fixture resulted in a sellout, setting a single-game record for a Crew home match and marking the largest non-NFL event in the Cleveland stadium’s history. Across the league, visiting clubs generated an additional £63m in ticket sales by hosting Inter Miami, with average ticket prices increasing significantly under dynamic pricing systems.
Club Revenue and Future Legacy
Inter Miami’s financial metrics reflect the transformation. Annual club revenue climbed from £41m in 2022 to £160m in 2024, driven by merchandise sales—including Messi’s top-selling number 10 jersey—and increased broadcast subscriptions on Apple TV, which doubled its subscriber base following his arrival.
Looking toward the long-term future of the franchise, Asensi addressed the challenges of sustaining this growth, stating that “Leo is going to be irreplaceable. There will be nobody that will be able to fill those shoes. We are trying to build that legacy to be a magnet for other good players to come.” Alongside these squad-building efforts, the club continues to develop youth talent initiatives, including the Dreams Cup platform established alongside the Inter Miami foundation.
Inter Miami returns to MLS action in the coming week as the regular season schedule progresses. Supporters can follow official club channels and the league’s broadcast platforms for kickoff times and lineup updates.
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