Lionel Messi’s retirement move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami US Major League Soccer “franchise” could propel the city of Miami into being a bigger tourism destination than it already is and elevate it to must-visit city status – over the likes of New York – in the eyes of European transatlantic holidaymakers, one expert has claimed.
Despite lying rock bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, the David Beckham-owned Inter Miami recently managed to land the signature of the once impossible to afford Messi after he signalled that he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The World Cup winning Argentina captain officially joined up with his Inter Miami team mates at the weekend, being unveiled to the city’s fervent football fanbase at the same time.
While Messi is, undoubtedly, the main beneficiary of this move, Miami’s tourism chiefs should also be rubbing their hands and licking their lips in anticipation, according to one economist.
Dr Rob Wilson, of Sheffield Business School in the UK, told the goal.com website that a player of Messi’s status moving to Miami could deliver a massive tourism boost to the city and put it on the map of top city tourist destinations in the US.
Dr Wilson, who is also a football finance expert, said: “Lionel Messi could 100% inspire Miami to rival New York and Los Angeles as leaders of tourism in the US.”
“There are multiple franchises there – from Dolphins to Marlins – so it’s becoming a Mecca for sports competition. Infrastructure is there, great transport links and a great climate. Absolutely somewhere people will be going to watch the competition,” he said.
