Inter Miami CF

What It Is

Inter Miami CF was awarded as a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and began play in 2020. The club is co-owned by former England captain David Beckham alongside Jorge Mas and his brother, part of the Mas family's broader South Florida holdings. Its defining moment came in 2023, when it signed Lionel Messi — widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history — in a deal that drew global attention and reshaped expectations for soccer in the United States. The club's home venue, ownership structure, and stadium plans have evolved over time and remain subject to change.

Why It Matters

Soccer is the dominant sport across Latin America, and Inter Miami's rise speaks directly to the city's role as a hemispheric crossroads. The Messi signing turned a young franchise into a worldwide draw and underscored Miami's standing as a place where Latin American culture and capital set the terms. The Mas family's involvement ties the club to the same exile-rooted business class that shapes much of the city's civic life, while Beckham's stake lends international celebrity — a combination characteristic of how Miami markets itself to the world.

Eras: The Messi Era Landmarks: Hard Rock Stadium People / Dynasties: David Beckham · Jorge Mas · The Mas Family