In June of last year, David Beckham articulated his vision to transform Inter Miami into the equivalent of the New York Yankees in the realm of soccer. The legendary Manchester United figure expressed his desire to establish a brand comparable to the iconic status of the Yankees, stating, “I want to create a brand like they have. You see the Yankees hat, and immediately you know what it is. I want people to stroll around wearing our baseball caps, recognizing it as a Miami cap, identifying it as part of the Miami brand.”
Beckham has made significant strides toward realizing his vision, evident in Lionel Messi’s jersey being the top-selling in Major League Soccer. However, if the events of Monday night are indicative of anything, it suggests that Miami may not achieve the soccer equivalent of the Yankees anytime soon.
In a match against Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal in Riyadh, Beckham’s team faced a 4-3 defeat. It’s noteworthy that Messi had chosen Miami over Al-Hilal. Despite the presence of star players like Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—four of Barcelona’s contemporary greats—Miami found themselves consistently outplayed in the Riyadh Season Cup opener.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, the striker who impressively netted 14 goals in 24 Premier League matches for Fulham last season, demonstrated his prowess by opening the scoring within just 10 minutes. Shortly after, Abdullah Al-Hamdan extended the lead to 2-0 for the home favorites.
Although Suarez managed to pull one back for Miami, marking his first goal for the American team, Brazilian star Michael quickly restored Al-Hilal’s two-goal advantage. Messi then showcased his brilliance, leveling the game with a penalty and orchestrating David Ruiz’s equalizer, all within a remarkable two-minute span. However, a late goal from Malcolm, another talented Brazilian from Al-Hilal, secured a 4-3 victory for the home team.
Certainly, the marketability of Miami, driven by Messi and his former Barcelona colleagues, is undeniable. However, it’s essential to recognize that there’s more to the success and marketability of a team than financial aspects alone.
The comparison with the New York Yankees in baseball highlights a key factor: success on the field. The Yankees stand out as the most marketable team in baseball, not solely due to financial prowess but also because of their unparalleled success. With a record 27 World Series titles, they have achieved more championship victories than any other team. In comparison, the closest contender, the St Louis Cardinals, has secured 11 titles. This illustrious track record contributes significantly to the Yankees’ status as a highly marketable and iconic sports franchise.
Certainly, if Beckham’s ambition is to transform Miami into the soccer equivalent of the Yankees, on-field success is crucial to complement off-field endeavors. The defeat to Al-Hilal, a team that has successfully attracted younger and ambitious talents from European leagues, raises concerns about Miami’s competitive prowess.
In their upcoming match against Al-Nassr in Riyadh on Thursday, Beckham’s team faces another formidable challenge, going up against Cristiano Ronaldo. This encounter adds an intriguing dimension to the ongoing Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. It will be fascinating to witness how the next chapter in their storied competition unfolds on the pitch. Miami will undoubtedly be eager to rebound and showcase their competitive strength in the face of such high-profile matchups.