Lionel Messi takes Inter Miami to next level

Lionel Messi moved to the United States approximately eight months ago but it doesn't seem to be any slowing down of the excitement around his relocation anytime soon.

The Argentine has elevated Inter Miami to a new level, and supporters all over the world are eager to see the former Barcelona player play. 

Even though the preseason tour was marred by controversy in Hong Kong, the Herons did a great job of taking advantage of the player's popularity before the start of the season, according to Essentially Sports.

Xavier Asensi, the general manager of Inter Miami, discussed the team's preseason excursions in an interview with EFE Sports Business. 

He said: "It is exactly like that. I have been at Barça for eleven years. I was the CCO there, also with Leo. What Inter Miami can earn on a pre-season tour is above what a professional soccer club has ever earned. There are several factors here, such as the fact that the big European clubs can do their tours at the same time, which is in the summer."

He added: "We can do them when no one at that level can do them. Which is in January or February. This is for Leo. Obviously, we try to pull behind him in this sense and adapt the structure so that this can happen, but 80% of zero is zero. If Messi were not there, what we are talking about would not exist."

Even though the preseason trip for Inter Miami was a financial disaster, it was a huge source of funding. 

Asensi claims that since Lionel Messi joined Miami, their turnover has increased by 200%.