Thanks to Messi’s impact, Inter Miami named MLS’ most valuable team by Forbes

Inter Miami experienced two completely different chapters in its history, before Messi and after Messi. In the first, the club was labeled as the worst team in MLS, a directionless project that seemed doomed to irrelevance and to be just another club. But then the Argentine star arrived and with him began a new era full of trophies, prestige and worldwide visibility.

The transformation was immediate and almost magical, the team went from darkness to glory by winning titles and becoming the reigning champions, beyond the triumphs on the field, the arrival of Messi unleashed a phenomenon that transcended soccer itself, as it became the most valuable soccer club in the United States.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is the most valuable club in MLS

Since the arrival of the Argentine star to Inter Miami, the club’s revenue has quadrupled since the 2023 season, rising from $56 million in 2022 to approximately $200 million in the 2025-26 season. This boost generated by Messi has propelled the South Florida club to the top of Major League Soccer team valuations.

According to a study by Forbes, Inter Miami is currently worth $1.35 billion, making it the most valuable franchise in MLS, surpassing LAFC for the first time, which held the top spot for the last three years

Top 10 most valuable MLS clubs according to Forbes

To rank the Major League Soccer franchises, Forbes examined various data, public financial information from the clubs and spoke with more than 60 team executives, owners and many other sources.

1. Inter Miami CF – $1.35 billion
2. LAFC – $1.32 billion
3. LA Galaxy – $1.08 billion
4. New York City FC – $1.02 billion
5. Atlanta United FC – One billion dollars
6. Seattle Sounders FC – $860 million
7. Austin FC – $855 million
8. Columbus Crew – $805 million
9. FC Cincinnati – $800 million
10. San Diego FC – $795 million

As long as Messi continues to play at a high level as he has done so far, Inter Miami is looking to the future confident that it will continue to be one of the most important clubs in MLS and Concacaf.