The catalyst behind the unprecedented spike was none other than the announcement of Lionel Messi joining the team, an event that reverberated throughout Major League Soccer and held the promise of a potential game-changing moment for football in the United States and Canada.
GOAT
In a remarkable turn of events, Inter Miami’s official social media account witnessed an extraordinary surge, accumulating from 2.1 to 4.5 million followers within a mere 12 hours. This staggering growth not only more than doubled their follower count but also surpassed their previous five years of progress. The catalyst behind this unprecedented spike was none other than the announcement of Lionel Messi joining the team, an event that reverberated throughout Major League Soccer and held the promise of a potential game-changing moment for football in the United States and Canada. MLS, in their tweet, hailed Messi as the “greatest of all time (GOAT)” and warmly welcomed him to the league, a sentiment echoed by millions of fans worldwide. The news even caught the attention of MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who took to Twitter to express his excitement, emphasizing that this was going to be an enjoyable experience.
LAFC’s Colombian defender Jesus Murillo, eagerly anticipated the opportunity to face Messi on the field
Jim Curtin, the head coach of the Philadelphia Union, regarded Messi’s arrival as the greatest day in MLS history, acknowledging him as the best player the sport of soccer has ever seen. Players within the league, like LAFC’s Colombian defender Jesus Murillo, eagerly anticipated the opportunity to face Messi on the field, as competing against the best has always been a dream for him. However, not everyone was ready to reveal their thoughts on Messi’s arrival. LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo humorously deflected questions, teasing that he had many thoughts but would keep them to himself for the time being. Meanwhile, Atlanta United, who happened to face LAFC that night, cleverly posted an Instagram image featuring Argentine player Thiago Almada alongside Messi and a World Cup trophy. This symbolic portrayal highlighted the presence of two world champions now gracing the MLS stage.
Messi’s impact extended beyond the realms of football, drawing recognition from other sporting realms as well. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks star and member of the ownership group of MLS’ Nashville SC, warmly welcomed Messi to MLS and mentioned the anticipation of seeing him in Nashville. Even Tyreek Hill, the talented wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, joined in on the welcoming party, jestingly remarking that both he and Messi wore the iconic number 10 jersey. Hill playfully challenged Messi to determine who was the faster player, all while extending his congratulations.
The arrival of Lionel Messi in MLS created an unparalleled wave of enthusiasm, with the Inter Miami social media surge serving as a testament to the profound impact he has on the world of football. The anticipation of witnessing his unparalleled talent on American and Canadian soil elevated the excitement within the league and beyond, hinting at a new era for soccer in North America.