Thanks to Messi, Inter Miami became the most valuable franchise in MLS
Messi helped Inter Miami become MLS's most valuable franchise
porEditorial Team
Argentina
According to a Forbes report, Las Garzas has a value of 1.35 billion dollars after quadrupling revenues and winning titles
The Lionel Messi effect redefined the economic map of Major League Soccer. According to a Forbes report, Inter Miami became the league's most valuable franchise for the first time, with an estimated value of 1.35 billion dollars, displacing Los Angeles FC from first place.
The arrival of the Argentine captain in mid-2023, driven by owner Jorge Mas, marked a turning point: the club won the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup in 2025, consolidating the sporting leap that accompanied the financial growth.
The numbers reflect that impact, since the franchise went from billing 56 million dollars in 2022 to nearly 200 million in the last season, almost quadrupling its revenue. The increase in sponsors, ticket sales and business expansion, such as international tours, boosted the model. In addition, the extension of Messi's contract until 2028 provides predictability in a scenario where his age, 38 years, raises medium-term questions.
El Inter Miami cuadruplicó sus ingresos desde la llegada de Messi
In the ranking, Inter Miami surpassed Los Angeles FC (1.32 billion). Behind them are LA Galaxy (1.08 billion), New York City FC (1.02 billion) and Atlanta United (1 billion). The average value of the 30 franchises reached 731 million, 6% more than in 2025.
However, it is worth clarifying that the growth of the teams was not uniform. CF Montréal closes the list with just 440 million and the gap between the strongest clubs and those with lower valuationscontinues to widen. Meanwhile, Inter Miami and New York City FC grew 13% and 17% year-on-year, respectively, while several of the lower-valued teams recorded increases of 2% or less.
The disparity is also evident in the investment market. Columbus Crew sold 10% with a valuation close to 900 million, although Forbes estimates it at 805, Austin FC brought in new shareholders with a valuation of 912 million and Seattle Sounders is seeking to raise more than 200 million with a valuation close to 1 billion. In contrast, the sale processes of San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps remain stalled.
El Inter Miami es el club más valioso de la MLS
Despite global growth, 19 of the 30 clubs operated at a loss in 2025. MLS is betting on reversing that trend, relying on the 2026 World Cup and on structural changes. Starting in 2027 the American league will align its calendar with that of the main international leagues and will restructure its agreement with Apple TV to expand audiences and reduce costs.
In that scenario, the Messi phenomenon not only transformed Inter Miami into the league's most valuable franchise, but also accelerated the process of expansion and professionalization of soccer in the United States.
