Ever since Lionel Messi’s arrival in July 2023, Major League Soccer (MLS) giants Inter Miami have been on the rise, both on the pitch and off the pitch. And, a recent report has claimed that the Herons are the the most valuable MLS club in 2026.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Leads MLS in Team Value
According to Sportico, the MLS has witnessed a significant rise in team values over the past year. The average MLS team is currently worth $767 million, up 6% from 2025.
Inter Miami, who won their maiden MLS Cup past December, are at the top of the list of the most valuable American soccer franchises. They are worth around $1.45 billion, up by 22% from last year. On the other hand, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) have dropped down to second on the list after witnessing a 9% growth, with their value at $1.4 billion now.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Galaxy are third with a value of $1.17 billion, up by 5% from 2025. Atlanta United and New York City FC are fourth and fifth on the list respectively with values of $1.14 billion and $1.12 billion before the start of the 2026 MLS season.
Interestingly, the two teams with the highest revenue in the MLS are set to compete in the first match of the upcoming MLS campaign. The Messi-led side will lock horns with LAFC at LA Memorial Coliseum in the season opener on Saturday, Feb. 21.
On the other hand, Messi has been backed to win a third straight MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award despite the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner set to turn 39 this June.
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During a recent interview with GOAL, ex-Wales international Robert Earnshaw explained his reasoning behind his claim of the Argentine winning more MLS MVP awards.
“It’s spectacular what we are able to see. He’s 38. He’s one of the best dribblers, he’s one of the best passers, one of the best creators, his imagination is better than anybody, he can score goals and finish. For as long as he continues that, he is going to continue winning the MVP, because he is the MVP. He is the MVP of the whole league,” Earnshaw said.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and Chicago Fire attacker added, “When you are on that level, you truly lift a whole league, never mind your team. Put it this way, without him, Inter Miami don’t win their first title. Without him, Inter Miami are nowhere near the level when it comes to the attention and the aura that is at the club right now.”
Messi, who has a contract until December 2028 at Javier Mascherano’s outfit, won the 2025 MVP honor ahead of the likes of Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, and Evander.
