David Beckham faces a delay in obtaining Lionel Messi’s No.10 Inter Miami shirt due to overwhelming demand, with Adidas struggling to meet the jersey requests. The high demand, fueled by Messi’s significant impact on Major League Soccer and his impending eighth Ballon d’Or award, has even affected Beckham’s ability to promptly provide Messi kits to family and friends.
Messi’s arrival in July 2023, alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, has elevated Inter Miami’s competitiveness, leading to increased demand for jerseys and tickets. Despite reaching the final of the US Open Cup and winning the Leagues Cup against Nashville SC, the club’s shift in form came too late for the MLS playoffs.
The surge in demand is expected to subside for the 2024 season, as the German manufacturer is now confident in meeting the unprecedented demand. Inter Miami plans to release their next jersey in February, marking Messi’s first full year with the team in the USA.
Remarkably, the Inter Miami jersey has become the top-selling soccer shirt in North America, surpassing renowned European clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Juventus. According to Fanatics, Messi’s jersey sales have outpaced those of nearly all other athletes, with the exception of Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback. Messi’s transition to a new club also set a record, with no player in any sport selling more kits within the first 24 hours.