Lionel Messi rocked the soccer world on June 7 when he announced his intentions to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF this summer. Major League Soccer (MLS) has already welcomed world superstars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney, but the arrival of Lionel Messi will give the league a whole extra dimension.
Even in his mid-30s, Lionel Messi will bring something that has never previously been seen in the United States. His sheer pedigree of being arguably the biggest soccer player ever, with seven Ballon d’Or awards (the greatest accolade in the soccer world), makes this transfer so special.
The 2022 World Cup winner will reportedly sign a 2.5-year deal valued between $125 and $150 million. The deal would also involve bonuses and equity in the team.
Messi’s debut should come in late July as the fans are mainly looking towards Inter Miami’s League Cup clash against Mexican Liga MX side Cruz Azul on July 22, the likeliest date. Here are some of the most popular bets and price changes since Leo’s arrival in Florida.
- Welcome offer activates if your first bet loses
- Great mobile betting experience
- Variety of betting markets on offer
*Except NY & NV. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Additional terms apply.
MLS Futures Market is Going Crazy
Messi’s move to Inter Miami CF provoked immediate action in the American betting circles. Bettors wasted no time upon hearing the shocking news as they immediately put their money down on all kinds of soccer markets, including the Argentine’s new team.
US sportsbooks have already come up with some very enticing offers as we’ve witnessed a huge swing in the prices for certain Inter Miami CF futures options. Over 90% of the betting tickets invested into MLS futures have included Inter Miami CF since the news of Messi’s arrival. Which bets are worth taking, though?
Messi to Win the 2023 MLS Golden Boot @ +4000
Before rushing to place your wagers, it is important to get some facts clear. The former Barcelona and PSG superstar will not make his MLS debut before late July. This means that he will be on the pitch for a maximum of 12 games until the end of the regular season.
The current top scorers in the league are Denis Bouanga, Hany Mukhtar, Giorgos Giakoumakis, and Jesus Ferreira, scoring 10 goals each so far in the campaign.
These men will have 5-6 games more to play before Messi makes his debut, meaning the Argentine will need to score goals at baffling rates to catch up with them in the final twelve outings of the regular season.
Leo has scored 806 goals in 1027 appearances in his career. This means that he scores a goal every 105 minutes on average. This is a superb number.
On paper, MLS is a less talented competition than those Messi had competed in previously, meaning there is certainly room for the Argentinian to bag goals at an even faster rate on North American soil.
Nobody knows how faster that rate can be, but would you be stunned to see the superstar completing hat-tricks in his maiden two appearances in the league? How would the Golden Boot race look at that moment with ten games to play?
The +4000 odds look tempting, but we must go for logic and say that Messi needs a herculean effort to become the competition’s top scorer in 2023, meaning there is not much value in these odds, as appealing and attractive as they may seem. This futures bet is available at DraftKings US Sportsbook.
Inter Miami CF Go From +20,000 to +1800 to Win MLS
Inter Miami has not been pulling up trees since the 2023 MLS season started. Losing 12 of the inaugural 17 outings, the Herons occupy the very foot of the Eastern Conference standings. Nevertheless, the transfer of Lionel Messi should completely shift the team’s fortunes around.
After all, we are talking about the man who has won everything there is to win in soccer and is still close to his prime after taking his national team to World Cup glory in December 2022.
The playoffs positions are only seven points away at the moment. This is a gap Inter Miami can close without a doubt in the final twelve matches of the regular season and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in their ranks.
If they make it to the playoffs, Inter Miami CF will surely be among the main contenders to go all the way, especially if the team completes more spectacular signings as announced (Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Angel Di Maria, and Jordi Alba are only some of the players rumored to join Leo in Florida).
- Quality welcome offer
- Engaging & versatile promotions
- Good odds across the board
The “Messi Effect” thus made an enormous boom to the 2023 MLS Cup winner odds. Inter Miami CF had been +20,000 to win the league on June 6. One day later, they dropped to +3000. They are +1800 at BetRivers Sportsbook. The trend should continue as we get closer to Messi’s debut.
If you ask us whether there is value in backing the rock-bottomed team in the Eastern Conference to win the championship, the answer is positive.
Unlike the MLS golden boot market, Messi has a greater chance of taking Inter Miami CF to the playoffs. If he manages to do so (remember, the team is now only seven points shy of the postseason places), the odds of the Herons going all the way will certainly drop further in October/November.
Learn more about which bets to place and where to get the best odds in our US Sportsbooks Major League Soccer (MLS) 2023 Betting Guide!
