Lionel Messi’s pink No. 10 jersey, representing Inter Miami, has become the top-selling item of the year in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The popularity of Messi’s jersey is followed closely by the jerseys of Uruguayan star Luis Suárez and Argentine playmaker Luciano Acosta, securing a completely Latin American podium.
Messi Mania in the MLS
In his second year in the MLS, Messi continues to make significant waves. After leading Inter Miami to victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup, Messi’s influence on and off the pitch is undeniable. His team currently leads the MLS standings, further solidifying his impact.
A Sales Sensation
The 36-year-old Argentine’s jersey tops the list on MLSstore.com, a platform managed by the global digital sports giant Fanatics, the official e-commerce partner of MLS. According to the latest sales data released by MLS, Colombian Juan Camilo Hernández from Columbus Crew and Spaniard Riqui Puig from Los Angeles Galaxy rank fourth and fifth, respectively.
Inter Miami, which shook up the league with the signings of Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba last year, and Luis Suárez earlier this year, dominates the top 25 positions in jersey sales. Alongside these stars, local talent Benjamín Cremaschi also makes the list, with Alba and Busquets ranking 18th and 28th, respectively.
Broad Representation in Top Sales
Seattle Sounders is the second most represented team with four players in the top 25 (Pedro De La Vega, Jordan Morris, João Paulo, and Cristian Roldan). The rankings, based on Adidas MLS jersey sales on MLSstore.com, cover the period from January 1 to April 30, 2024.
The top sales list includes players from 14 different countries, showcasing the league’s diverse talent:
- Argentina: Lionel Messi, Luciano Acosta, Pedro de la Vega
- Brazil: João Paulo
- Canada: Jacob Shaffelburg
- Colombia: Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández
- Finland: Teemu Pukki
- Germany: Hany Mukhtar
- Greece: Giorgos Giakoumakis
- Mexico: Héctor Herrera
- South Africa: Bongokuhle Hlongwane
- Spain: Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Carles Gil, Riqui Puig
- Sweden: Emil Forsberg
- Uruguay: Luis Suárez
- United States: Benjamín Cremaschi, Brian Gutiérrez, Aidan Morris, Jordan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, Cristian Roldan, John Tolkin
- Venezuela: José Martínez
Messi’s continued dominance, both on the field and in merchandise sales, underscores his lasting legacy and the global appeal of the MLS.