It has been almost eight months since Lionel Messi‘s move to the United States. However, the hype around his move doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The Argentine has taken Inter Miami to the next level, with fans worldwide keen to watch the ex-Barcelona star in action. The Herons did a fantastic job of capitalizing on the player’s popularity before the start of the season, with the team putting on a successful pre-season tour despite controversies in Hong Kong marring the trip.

In an interview with EFE Sports Business, the Inter Miami general manager, Xavier Asensi, talked about the team’s pre-season tours, stating, “It is exactly like that. I have been at Barça for eleven years. I was the CCO there, also with Leo. What Inter Miami can earn on a pre-season tour is above what a professional soccer club has ever earned. There are several factors here, such as the fact that the big European clubs can do their tours at the same time, which is in the summer.”

Xavier Asensi added, “We can do them when no one at that level can do them. Which is in January or February. This is for Leo. Obviously, we try to pull behind him in this sense and adapt the structure so that this can happen, but 80% of zero is zero. If Messi were not there, what we are talking about would not exist.”

While Inter Miami’s pre-season tour may not have been successful as a sporting project, the tour brought on a massive influx of capital for the club. According to Asensi, Miami, following the arrival of Lionel Messi, has had a 200% increase in their turnover. Talk about staggering numbers!

Lionel Messi is a true needle mover in every sense!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The United States has seen some of the top athletes in the world, such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Serena Williams, hone their craft and take the sport to the next level. However, all of them have been challenged at the top of the mountain by their peers. On the other hand, Lionel Messi is single-handedly responsible for elevating soccer to the next level. It’s no knock on the league, but MLS was never an option for a casual soccer fan before Lionel Messi’s arrival.

However, the Argentine’s move to the league has taken the league to the next level. MLS has witnessed a staggering rise in its revenue and viewership numbers. Sponsors have also turned their heads toward the league, with big brands working with the soccer giant. Ticket sales have been through the roof, with Inter Miami selling out their last four games this season.

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With how things have been going, MLS has a golden goose on their hands, and it’s up to them how they make the most of it.