Latin Americans are big on soccer. In fact, it's *** very big part of the culture in many countries. And by far the most popular sport that's reflected in soccer viewership with around 30% of MLS fans identifying as Latino. No one of the greatest soccer stars of all time made *** surprising move to the United States to join major league soccer. What does his move mean to Latinos in America? Messi is one of the most decorated soccer players of all time. He has seven boon doors, 44 collective trophies and one world cup under his belt and all that makes him pretty popular too. He's the second most followed person on Instagram with 486 million followers. If you think Messi is an icon around the world, imagine what he is to Latinos or better yet Argentinians. I can explain to you what, what I have in my heart for him, Messi is, is, is everything for all the Argentinian people, we love him. So when he announced he would be leaving PSG to join Inter Miami. The crowd went wild. It is not only *** team that's owned by David Beckham, but something we learned today. It's going to be *** team that soccer phenom Lionel Messi is going to be calling home starting next year, the legendary player announced his decision to join the MLS after making his name known nationally for decades. Most notably with Barcelona on July 15th, Inter Miami confirmed that after two seasons at Paris based PSG Lionel Messi would be joining the team. His contract is worth over $150 million over 2.5 years. And that's without additional compensation from Apple and Adidas. Both partners of the MLS. Major league soccer has grown steadily over the years but has always played second fiddle to the big five leagues in Europe, England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain founded in 1993. The league is still pretty young but it has been trying to bring big name stars to its roster and boost attendance of games, soccer legends David Beckham. Thi Heri and Ricardo all joined the league after decades playing in Europe, but Messi is considered the goat. So his presence in the US has already boosted the league. Call it the messi effect. When his big US move was announced, fans went wild. Inter Miami's Google popularity increased by 1200%. Searches for Messi's collectibles on ebay went up 75%. Messy. Jersey sold more than any other player switching teams in history, more than Ronaldo at Man U Tom Brady in Tampa and lebron James to the Lakers. All that popularity translates into viewers and expect this building to be sold out for the foreseeable future. As long as Leo Messi, the player, many consider to be the greatest of all time is wearing Inter Miami colors. Messi's debut game of the MLS drew 1.7 million viewers on the Spanish channel, Univision. Talking about the move David Beckham, retired player and part owner of Inter Miami said bringing someone like Messi, not just to in Miami but to MLS to America. It means so much. You have the eyes of not just Latina America but the world on Miami. The move to Miami specifically is another big source of pride for Latinos. Miami has *** massive Latin American presence and is around 70%. Latino Messi's massive move is causing hysteria in the city. Ticket prices for his debut in Miami game went up 1000% on secondary markets being *** soccer fan in the in the United States. For, for most of my life, we've always got to watch him from the other side of the world. So now it's kind of surreal that we get to have him right here in our own backyard as the season continues, messy mania and Latino pride is sure to continue.