Lionel Messi: Inter Miami Gain Over 1 Million Followers in 10 Minutes After His Announcement

• The Lionel Messi effect is already showing on Inter Miami's social media channels
• Inter attracted over one million followers, 10 minutes after announcing Messi's deal
• Messi has confirmed he is joining the MLS side after leaving PSG this summer

It appears that the question of which athlete is the most well-liked on the planet may have been resolved on Wednesday.

The off-field impact of Lionel Messi's signing with Inter Miami CF has been instantaneous and massive.

Now that Messi has decided to play in the MLS, the United States of America will get the privilege of watching the 35-year-old's final years of a truly incredible career.

The world wants to watch what the Argentine magician does, and Miami will be a huge beneficiary.

This has been reflected on social media, specifically on Inter Miami's accounts, per Marca.

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Inter Miami double followers

Inter Miami had a million followers on social media prior to Lionel Messi's announcement.

But Spectator Index reports that within 10 minutes of the announcement, the Miami-based club gained over a million followers.

Before Messi's deal was confirmed, Inter Miami’s Instagram account had roughly 900,000 followers.

That number surged to 3.2 million by 7 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, an increase of 2.3 million followers in just over 7 hours.

It makes David Beckham's team the most-followed MLS Instagram account, passing the LA Galaxy, who previously held the distinction with 1.4 million followers.

Why Messi snubbed Barcelona

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi revealed that he was initially excited about returning to Barcelona, but had to turn down the move to Camp Nou due to the club’s dire financial situation, the BBC reports.

The 35-year-old superstar revealed that he did not want to be responsible for the Catalan club forcing players to reduce their salaries or be sold to finance the bid to sign him this summer.

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Barcelona, alongside Saudi club Al-Hilal, were heavy favourites to sign Messi this summer, but the 2022 World Cup winner decided to join MLS side Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi’s new club confirmed

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Argentina legend, Lionel Messi will join Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.

The former Barcelona forward is set to reject a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. The Miami deal includes collaboration with brands like Adidas and Apple.

Messi, 35, won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player seven times and is expected to win it later this year after World Cup success.