Inter Miami welcomes Messi with a billion-dollar stadium
Inter Miami’s new stadium, which costs 1 billion dollars to build, is nearing completion, ready to serve Messi and his teammates.
Inter Miami builds a 1-billion-dollar stadium for the new season.
The plan for the new stadium is part of a larger development called “Miami Freedom Park,” which spans 73,000 hectares along Florida’s coast and includes a variety of amenities.
Although Inter Miami’s new stadium has a modest capacity of only 25,000 seats, it features green parks, one of the most advanced tech hubs in the U.S., along with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Messi officially became an Inter Miami player on the first day of July 2023, just one day after his contract with French club PSG expired.
Messi joined Inter Miami with the mission of helping soccer make significant strides in the U.S., both during his time as a player and later as a soccer manager, fulfilling the superstar’s dream.
Messi’s arrival in MLS has caused a real “earthquake” in the U.S. According to Fortune magazine, ticket prices to watch Messi play have skyrocketed to over 2,000 USD, a record figure for a sporting event in the country.
Even while playing in the U.S., Messi is still earning vast sums from Saudi Arabia through tourism promotion for the country.
Specifically, in a contract signed between Messi and the Saudi Arabian government, the number 10 superstar is set to receive 25 million USD over three years, serving as an ambassador for the country’s growing tourism industry.
Part of the agreement requires Messi to post about his trips to Saudi Arabia on his personal social media. Currently, Messi has nearly 500 million followers on his Instagram account.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars to boost its influence in professional sports, including buying a Premier League club. Most recently, they have made significant investments in golf.