Inter Miami | History, Kit, Sponsors, Trophies, Rivals and Club Value

Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, commonly known as Inter Miami, is a soccer club based in Miami. They compete in the Major League Soccer and are a member of the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami plays at the Chase Stadium as they await the opening of the Miami Freedom Park in 2026.

Inter Miami was awarded the 25^th franchise expansion status in 2018, becoming an official member of the MLS. David Beckham owns the franchise and is a reason for Inter Miami gaining global recognition. The club had success on the pitch recently as they signed Lionel Messi on a free transfer. They became one of the most richest clubs in the league after Messi’s signing.

The Herons recently won their first-ever Supporters’ Shield in 2024 thanks to incredible performances from Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. The club was invited to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

Inter Miami: History & Key Facts

Inter Miami has been making waves in the footballing world very recently. There is a lot of interest in their what-about and who owns them. Let us take a closer look at their details and learn more about them. MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed the league’s renewed interest in having a franchise in Miami. However, the region’s lack of interest in sports was cited as a reason for the city not getting a spot. FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure, a Bolivian businessman based in Miami, announced an expansion bid in October 2008. It didn’t come to fruition as Barcelona dropped out of the venture.

Things were set into motion again in 2013, as David Beckham had a clause in his contract when he joined the league in 2007. Simon Fuller, Beckham’s business manager, offered Beckham a chance to purchase an expansion team for $25 million after he retired. As soon as the English icon called it a day, he set his sights on acquiring a club. The option was exercised in 2014 as Marcelo Claure joined his team again.

More and more influential businessmen were on board as the franchise status was awarded in 2018. The team was set to launch in the 2020 season as the twenty-fifth MLS franchise. The team generated great interest in footballing circles as it was headed by David Beckham. They had no problem getting top coaches and players, as it appeared as an attractive destination.

Inter Miami played their first-ever match in the MLS on March 1, 2020, against Los Angeles, losing 1-0. After the COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted their first season, they recorded their first victory in the Miami Derby against Orlando City SC. Despite managerial changes, the club struggled and spent multiple seasons either mid-table or at the bottom of the table. Phil Neville was appointed as manager with the hope of helping them reach the upper echelons. DeAndre Yedlin, one of America’s finest fullbacks, joined the club in 2022 and helped them gain more respect.

The club’s trajectory changed in June 2023 after parting ways with Neville. Lionel Messi left Europe and decided to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, thanks to his great relationship with Beckham. Messi turned down interest from Al-Hilal and Barcelona to enjoy a new chapter in the United States. He was accompanied by his ex-teammate Sergio Busquets and ex-manager Gerardo Martino.

Messi’s unveiling ceremony at a sold-out Chase Park raked in billions of views worldwide. The club had become an overnight fan favourite for billions around the world. The shirt sales and merchandise were running out, and the stadium prices skyrocketed as people flocked to watch Inter Miami and Messi play.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner showcased his worth on the pitch as he made a fantastic debut in the 2023 League Cup by scoring a stoppage-time free-kick that helped them snap an 11-game winless run. Messi was in inspired form throughout the tournament and helped his side win their first-ever trophy by defeating Nashville SC in the finals on penalties. Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba joined the band of ex-Barcelona players at the club in 2023 as the club prepared for the upcoming season after finishing 14^th in the table in 2023. Lionel Messi was handed the armband, and what followed was history.

Inter Miami stormed to the Supporters’ Shield title with the highest-ever point tally in a league season. They won 22 games and lost only 4 after drawing eight times. They were the league’s highest-scoring side and enjoyed great success in most games thanks to their dominant core. Messi and Suarez scored 20 goals each as Alba supplied them with service and Busquets screened the defence excellently.

They suffered a reversal in the MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup as well. In the new season, they hired Messi’s ex-teammate Javier Mascherano as the coach. They were invited to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on merit. This is one of the biggest challenges in the club’s nascent history. They must battle a long injury list to prove they belong among the world’s best.