Some Inter Miami fans are upset with the organization.
In an article by The Guardian, several Miami fans have spoken out about the club’s treatment of supporters after Lionel Messi signed with the team.
“What made Inter Miami special early on was we had a great supporter group and ownership was really close with the fans,” one supporter said.
“It’s different now. It’s gone from a family atmosphere to a professional atmosphere, which you’d expect. We were a young club and we grew up overnight.”
“It’s priced out a lot of people. That’s been a tough pill to swallow. People are very upset about it,” another fan stated.
Inter Miami was founded in 2018 by co-owners David Beckham, Jorge, and Jose Mas. From its inception, the South Florida side underachieved, failing to make any real impact on the league.
However, in 2022, things looked promising as the Herons finished sixth on the table, punching a ticket to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, that form couldn’t be reproduced in the early parts of 2023.
The Messi Effect
Messi arrived in Miami when the team was in last place.
The Argentine subsequently led the club to its first trophy in team history with the Leagues Cup title.
It’s unfortunate that fans have been priced out, however, before Messi signed with the club, Miami was far from winning silverware.
The club was often mocked and made the punchline of several jokes due to its poor management. After Messi, Inter Miami has skyrocketed into the upper echelon of world football and looks set to challenge for MLS Cup in 2024.
The small, family-like feel of the pre-Messi days is gone, and certain supporters are understandably upset. Hopefully, the club can reconcile with supporters who feel hurt.
As 2024 creeps closer, it’s imperative that the organization repair its relationship with the fans.