Ares Management invests $75 million in last-place Inter Miami due to Lionel Messi’s success in MLS.
Ares Management invests $75 million in last-place Inter Miami due to Lionel Messi's success in MLS.
Inter Miami Seals $225 Million Deal with Ares, Boosted by Messi’s Arrival
Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team co-owned by David Beckham, has secured a $225 million investment from US-based Ares’s credit group. The capital infusion will be utilized to develop the proposed Miami Freedom Park stadium and fund other growth initiatives, according to a statement released on Friday. This latest investment brings Ares’s total investment in Inter Miami since 2021 to $225 million.
Once languishing at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference league, Inter Miami received a tremendous boost with the arrival of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. Messi joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain FC last month and immediately left an indelible mark on the team. Under his influence, Inter Miami has clinched three successive victories, with Messi scoring a total of five goals during these games. The “Messi effect” has been evident in the skyrocketing demand for Inter Miami game tickets, often selling out within minutes.
The competition for Messi’s signature was fierce, with Saudi Pro League being one of the cash-rich rivals. However, Inter Miami successfully secured the deal, fending off the lucrative offers from other clubs, including Messi’s former club, FC Barcelona. This Argentine superstar boasts an illustrious career, with seven Ballon d’Or titles to his name and having led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Established in 2018, Inter Miami is one of the newer teams in the MLS. With the backing of former football icon David Beckham, the club’s co-owner, Inter Miami has made significant strides in a short period. Last year, Sportico estimated Inter Miami’s value at $585 million. However, the financial details of the club after the recent investment from Ares were not disclosed in Friday’s statement. Nevertheless, Jorge Mas, the club’s managing owner, expressed optimism in a July interview, stating that Inter Miami’s value could potentially reach $1.5 billion within a year.
Jim Miller, co-head of sports, media, and entertainment strategies at Ares, expressed excitement about the increased investment in Inter Miami, affirming their confidence in the club’s bright future. In addition to their investment in Inter Miami, Ares also holds stakes in Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid and Eagle Football Holdings, a multiclub owner supporting teams such as Crystal Palace FC in England and Olympique Lyonnais in France.
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This recent investment and Messi’s arrival have propelled Inter Miami into the spotlight, generating much excitement and positive anticipation for the club’s continued growth and success. With the Miami Freedom Park stadium development and other growth initiatives funded by Ares, Inter Miami aims to solidify its position in the MLS and establish a lasting legacy in the world of football.
