How David Beckham set the MLS foundation for Lionel Messi. ‘The Messi effect is dramatic’
Trace the timeline of Major League Soccer from its uncertain beginnings to its unquestioned success and you’ll find Greg Vanney was there at every important juncture. He played in 29 games, including the first MLS Cup final, in the league’s inaugural season in 1996, then came off the bench in David Beckham’s debut 11 years later. The sports-business website Sportico has valued the franchise at just more than $1 billion — only LAFC and Atlanta United, both former league champions, are worth more — and Xavier Asensi, the team’s chief business officer, said Inter Miami was projecting revenues of more than $200 million this season, about four times what it made in 2022, the season before Messi arrived. I’m glad that he’s at Major League Soccer.” Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is hugged by MLS commissioner Don Garber, center right, during a ceremony honoring his Ballon d’Or trophy, before the team’s friendly against New York City FC on Nov. 10, 2023. “I give enormous credit to Jorge Mas and David Beckham for working for many years — almost from the time that they bought the team — to put a stake in the ground and say that Inter Miami has aspirations to be a global team with the biggest names in the world.” Soccer David Beckham’s signing with Galaxy made lasting impact on MLS The Galaxy’s decision to pursue David Beckham — and the English soccer star’s decision to sign with them — marked a turning point for the MLS.
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