Miami is no stranger to celebrities, with several key figures from Barcelona’s golden era, including Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, bolstering Inter’s lineup. However, intriguingly, they are not the wealthiest among the lot. Lionel Messi’s net worth is undeniable, with a financial prowess exceeding $600 million as of February 2024, far surpassing the combined wealth of teammates Suarez ($70 million), Alba ($16 million), and Busquets ($45 million). Yet, even with such an impressive fortune, Messi does not claim the title of the wealthiest player at Inter Miami, highlighting an unexpected twist in the club’s financial hierarchy.
Messi’s Net Worth: Surprisingly Not the Richest on His Team
In a surprising twist revealed by the Daily Mail, 23-year-old Inter Miami striker Leonardo Campana tops the wealth charts among Inter Miami players, outshining even Messi’s net worth. The Ecuadorian, playing in the United States since 2022, owes his financial success not to football, but to his affluent family background. His father, Pablo Campana, a former professional tennis player who competed in the Olympics and reached the US Open’s third round, now thrives in politics and business.
Between 2017 and 2019, he served as Ecuador’s Minister of Commerce and currently owns a development company. Additionally, Campana’s grandmother, Isabel Noboa, leads several enterprises across industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors. The collective value of these family businesses significantly boosts Leonardo Campana’s net worth, dwarfing even Messi’s net worth, and raising eyebrows about the real financial heavyweight at Inter Miami.
Messi Net Worth vs Inter Miami net worth: The GOAT effect
In January, as Inter Miami touched down in El Salvador for their inaugural 2024 preseason match, they were met with an electrifying reception. Hundreds of fans swarmed around the team’s distinctive pink buses, all vying for a glimpse of Lionel Messi, arguably the globe’s most illustrious athlete.
This fervent reception in a foreign land was a scene few could have envisioned just eight months prior, back when Inter Miami, a relatively new entity in Major League Soccer, languished at the bottom of the league standings, noted chiefly for its association with minority co-owner David Beckham. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in June with Messi’s bombshell decision to make South Florida his new footballing abode, catapulting Inter Miami onto a new, exhilarating path.
The Argentine superstar’s influence was profound and immediate. Just one month following his arrival, he steered Inter Miami to a triumphant victory at the Leagues Cup, clinching their first-ever trophy through a nail-biting penalty shootout. Beyond the pitch, the eight-time Ballon d’Or (The 8th Ballon d’Or was already awarded to him as an Inter Miami player) winner catalyzed a financial revolution within the team’s operations.
In 2023, the team’s revenue soared to $118 million, more than doubling from the previous year’s $56 million. This dramatic financial upswing propelled the club’s market value skywards. As per his contract with Inter Miami, Messi’s net worth received a significant uplift from the surging revenue streams. According to Forbes, Inter Miami’s worth escalated to $1.03 billion, marking a 72% increase from the preceding year, establishing the team as a powerhouse in Major League Soccer’s economic landscape.
Top Valued Teams in Major League Soccer 2024
The attainment of a billion-dollar valuation by Inter Miami marks a significant milestone in Major League Soccer (MLS), positioning the franchise as only the second in the league’s history to reach this financial pinnacle. This remarkable achievement echoes the success of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), which became the first MLS team to be valued at over a billion dollars in 2023, setting a high benchmark with a valuation of $1.2 billion.
Inter Miami’s rapid ascent to this financial stature is not just a testament to its market potential and strategic business operations but also highlights the growing economic clout of MLS as a whole. The league is increasingly attracting global attention, investment, and talent, which in turn fuels higher valuations and greater financial stability for its clubs.
The hosting of Copa America 2024 in the United States, with Miami slated to host the final, alongside the World Cup 2026 also being hosted by the U.S., will further elevate soccer’s popularity and recognition in the country.
Messi’s Net Worth: The Rich Legacy of His Stellar Career
Unlike Campana, Messi’s net worth doesn’t stem from a rich family background. Messi’s career stats at Barcelona, which are impressive and reflect his success, contributed to amassing an estimated fortune of $650 million. The Argentine talent signed with Barcelona at age 13 and remained until 2021, during which he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles.
Interestingly, while at Barcelona, he didn’t achieve international success with Argentina. However, shortly after leaving Catalonia, he won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in just 1.5 years.
Messi Net Worth: Ruling Instagram
Messi’s net worth transcends mere earnings – it encapsulates his enormous fan engagement and influence. As of February 2024, his Instagram account stands as a powerful testament to his worldwide appeal, ranking as the third most-followed account globally with more than half a billion followers. Following his World Cup victory, one of his posts rapidly ascended to become the most liked post in Instagram’s history, underscoring his unparalleled impact and popularity on the platform.
Exploring Inter Miami’s Schedule: A Detailed Overview
Discover the excitement of the upcoming season by checking out Inter Miami’s schedule. Click here to unveil the team’s detailed calendar and plan your game-watching strategy accordingly.