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Inter Miami surpasses Brazilian clubs and becomes the MLS team with the most followers on Instagram

By Arthur Fernandes

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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The recent signing of Lionel Messi by Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team in the United States, had a tremendous effect on social media. In less than two months, the club gained over 11 million followers on Instagram, solidifying its digital presence and showcasing the global impact of the Argentine superstar.

Inter Miami surpassed three major Brazilian clubs in terms of followers, leaving behind Corinthians, São Paulo, and Palmeiras. This significant growth on social media places the American club as one of the most influential among MLS teams, second only to Los Angeles Galaxy. However, it’s important to note that Flamengo still leads the ranking with an impressive 17.9 million followers on Instagram.

  • INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS COUNT
  1. Flamengo – 17.9 million
  2. Inter Miami – 12.5 million
  3. Corinthians – 10.1 million
  4. São Paulo – 5.3 million
  5. Palmeiras – 5 million

Soccer is a worldwide passion, and Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami reflects how the presence of a world-class player can move the masses. The impressive numbers of the American club not only outpace other MLS teams but also stand out compared to all NFL teams, the main American soccer league.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – JULY 25: Leonardo Campana #9 of Inter Miami CF battles against Osvaldo Alonso #6 of Atlanta United \2h during the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – JULY 25: Leonardo Campana #9 of Inter Miami CF battles against Osvaldo Alonso #6 of Atlanta United \2h during the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

Furthermore, the results show that soccer in the United States is on the rise, gaining space on social media and attracting fans from around the world. The arrival of renowned players like Messi is an effective strategy to expand the visibility and reach of the sport in the country.

The phenomenon is not limited to Inter Miami and the North American scene. European soccer also benefits from the popularity of its top clubs on social media. Real Madrid and Barcelona lead the global rankings with impressive numbers of 144 million and 122 million followers, respectively.

  • MLS TEAMS INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS COUNT
  1.  Inter Miami – 12.5 million
  2. Los Angeles Galaxy – 1.5 million
  3. Los Angeles FC – 790,000
  4. New York City – 761,000

However, it’s crucial for clubs to use this growth on social media strategically, engaging and retaining their new followers. Digital presence should not only reflect player signings and on-field achievements but also serve as a tool to establish a genuine connection with the fans, share relevant content, and promote initiatives that create an engaged virtual community.

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami demonstrates the power of a world-class football player’s global impact on social media. The phenomenon not only elevates the American club in the digital landscape but also reinforces football’s position as a universal passion, capable of uniting millions of fans worldwide. It remains for clubs to seize this opportunity to strengthen their bond with the fans and establish their brand as a reference in the international sports scene.

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