Messi–Mania: Inter Miami Now MLS’ Most Valuable Club

Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, the term “Messi–Mania” has become a fixture in the American sporting lexicon. Initially, many assumed the frenzy would be limited to stadium crowds and soaring jersey sales. Yet, even co-owner David Beckham could scarcely have anticipated the transformative impact Messi would have both on and off the pitch.

The Argentine superstar’s arrival has revolutionised football in the United States. Matches are no longer just about the sport—they are now entertainment spectacles. Hollywood celebrities, musicians, and sports legends regularly flock to stadiums, signalling that Major League Soccer (MLS) has grown far beyond its former identity as simply “soccer.”

Over the past two-and-a-half years, Messi’s reign in the U.S. has been nothing short of extraordinary. A club that had previously tasted little silverware has now captured three trophies under his captaincy, including the prestigious 2025 MLS Cup. On the financial front, this sporting success has translated into an equally remarkable increase in Inter Miami’s market valuation. For the first time in MLS history, the club—affectionately nicknamed The Herons—has become the league’s most valuable franchise.

According to the sports finance platform Sportico, Inter Miami’s estimated valuation at the start of the 2026 season is $1.45 billion, equivalent to over $17,400 crore in Bangladeshi Taka. In the process, they have overtaken Los Angeles FC, which now sits in second place at $1.40 billion. Over the past year alone, Inter Miami’s market value has surged by approximately 22%, compared with just 9% growth for LAFC, underlining the club’s meteoric rise.

This surge is not solely due to Messi’s on-field brilliance. Strategic investments have played a key role. Inter Miami is set to inaugurate a state-of-the-art stadium this year, adding a new commercial dimension to its assets. Modern facilities, VIP suites, and corporate partnerships have all contributed to the club’s enhanced valuation.

Top Five Most Valuable MLS Clubs (2026 Season)

Across MLS, the average valuation of the 30 clubs now stands at $767 million, marking a 39% increase since Sportico’s first 2021 assessment. The combined league value has reached approximately $23 billion.

Despite this growth, MLS still lags behind other major American leagues. In a combined ranking of the top five U.S. leagues (154 teams), Inter Miami is positioned 116th. The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys lead with a valuation of $128 billion, while NBA champions Golden State Warriors are valued at $113.3 billion, highlighting the gap that MLS still faces.

Yet all eyes are now on the pitch. The 2026 MLS season kicks off on 21 February, with the opening match set to feature a blockbuster clash between the league’s two wealthiest clubs: Inter Miami, led by Messi, visiting the stadium of Los Angeles FC. If the opening day is anything to go by, Messi–Mania is set to write yet another thrilling chapter in U.S. football history.