Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi was officially unveiled as an Inter Miami player on Sunday, July 16. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter in Messi’s illustrious career, bringing one of the world’s most recognizable and bankable athletes to North America.
Amidst Florida’s renowned summer storms, approximately 20,000 enthusiastic fans filled Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium to witness Messi’s first official appearance. The stadium, with an 18,000 seating capacity, was expanded with additional seating to accommodate the overwhelming demand to see the soccer icon in action. In a monumental move for the soccer world, the $37.3 billion mega-company executed an extraordinary plan to welcome the legendary Lionel Messi.
Adidas taking Messi’s unveiling to new heights
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Imagine a massive $37.3 billion company going all out to welcome someone. On July 19, during the team’s media day, Adidas gave Messi a special welcome to the United States. The sportswear giant welcomed Messi to the United States. In a stunning PR campaign with a custom-decorated cargo ship, helicopter, and office building.
The eye-catching cargo ship made a special trip from Guatemala to Miami to celebrate the arrival of the soccer maestro. An Adidas-branded helicopter circled overhead, adding to the spectacle. Adidas featured Messi in his Inter Miami kit with the tagline “Impossible is nothing”. The imagery of swirling pink-and-purple clouds surrounding Messi underscored the surreal nature of the occasion.
adidas brought in a cargo ship straight from Guatemala to celebrate Leo Messi in Miami 😳 https://t.co/1LeuX7cRLh pic.twitter.com/kRbjwkjUHW
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) July 19, 2023
While the World Cup winner’s arrival is celebrated everywhere in the American soccer scenario, it has also boosted the social media power of Inter Miami.
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Messi’s unveiling and Instagram boost for Inter Miami
The world watched in awe as Messi’s unveiling at Inter Miami became the most-watched football presentation globally. Surpassing even Cristiano Ronaldo’s unveiling at Al Nassr. Also, after Messi’s introduction Inter Miami’s Instagram followers have skyrocketed from 1 million to an impressive 10.3 million. It has solidified its place among the most popular American sports teams on the platform. Messi’s arrival at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021 had a similar effect. The French club gained a staggering 5.6 million followers in a week.
But his stint in Paris did not go as expected and now he is off to the MLS. Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami heralds a new era for the club and elevates soccer’s popularity in the United States. However, there’s no doubt that with an impressive social media following and an unforgettable PR campaign, Messi’s presence promises to be a game-changer both on and off the field.
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