Inter Miami CF: MLS Team with Messi, Busquets, and Global Fanbase

When Inter Miami CF, a Major League Soccer club founded in 2018 and co-owned by David Beckham, that rose to global attention after signing Lionel Messi in 2023. Also known as Miami FC, it quickly became more than just a team — it became a cultural moment for soccer in the United States. Before Messi arrived, Inter Miami was a fringe club with modest attendance and little international recognition. Then, in July 2023, the world stopped. Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona legend, signed for the club. Overnight, ticket sales exploded, social media followed, and even people who never watched soccer before started tuning in. This wasn’t just a transfer — it was a seismic shift in how Major League Soccer is seen globally.

The club didn’t stop there. In early 2025, Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfield maestro and former Barcelona captain who won nine La Liga titles and a World Cup with Spain. Also known as Busquets, he brought leadership, discipline, and tactical intelligence to Miami. His arrival wasn’t just about skill — it was about credibility. Fans knew if Busquets was joining, this wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a real project. Together, Messi and Busquets turned Inter Miami from a side that struggled to make the playoffs into a team that won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield and Leagues Cup. Their partnership on the field, built over years at Barcelona, now plays out in front of packed stadiums in Miami, drawing fans from across Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

Inter Miami CF isn’t just about two superstars. It’s about what happens when global talent meets American ambition. The club’s youth academy has seen a surge in applications. Local businesses in Miami have seen a spike in soccer-related sales. Even rival MLS teams have changed how they recruit, knowing now that signing a big-name player can transform a franchise. The team’s home games at Chase Stadium are now events — not just matches. You’ll see families wearing Messi jerseys, kids practicing dribbles on the sidewalk, and fans from Argentina, Spain, and Nigeria cheering side by side.

What you’ll find in this collection are the real stories behind the headlines. From Busquets’ emotional retirement announcement to how Messi’s presence changed youth soccer in Florida, from the business deals that made this possible to the cultural ripple effects across Latin communities in the U.S. These aren’t just match reports. They’re snapshots of a team that rewrote the rules of American soccer — and why the world is still watching.