Inter Miami CF has recently made the headlines after Lionel Messi scored a signature goal on Saturday to lead his side past Nashville FC in a penalty kick shootout to capture the Leagues Cup title. This is the first silverware in the club’s history, having been formed only five years ago by David Beckham.
As a matter of fact, David Beckham is not the only influence over Inter Miami’s prominence in recent times. Cuban-American businessman Jorge Mas and his equally influential brother, Jose Mas, now principally own them. The Mas brothers own 90 percent of the shares after acquiring them from Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son for a price between $600 million and $650 million in 2021.
Jorge Mas and David Beckham know they have witnessed history.
Inter Miami’s first ever title!
pic.twitter.com/SPpGFoqU4H— Reyi (@Reinaldodcg9) August 20, 2023
Miami, Florida, is the place of Jorge Mas’ birth. His father, Jorge Mas Canosa, was a key figure in the uprising against Fidel Castro and is a Cuban immigrant.
Canosa established the engineering and construction business MasTec. Currently, Jorge Mas chairs the company, which holds a market cap of $9.1 billion. Additionally, he founded the Neff Corporation in 1990 and later sold it for $510 million.
Beyond Inter Miami, Jorge has a deep love of soccer. He currently serves as the chairman of the Real Zaragoza club in Spain’s Second Division and the president of the Cuban American National Foundation. Real Zaragoza previously spent a significant amount of time in La Liga.
📸 En esta foto:
🇨🇺 Jorge Más.
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi.
🇨🇺 José Más. pic.twitter.com/eaDLIBfTVS— Diego Miranda (@_DiegoMiranda) July 17, 2023
Speaking of Jose Mas, he currently serves as CEO of MasTec, the second-largest Hispanic-owned business in the country. His net worth is reportedly in the $341 million range.
The Mas brothers continued to hold the majority ownership of Inter Miami after purchasing Marcelo Claure’s stake in 2021, while Beckham retained a minority ownership stake of 10%.
How Jorge Mas convinced Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami
The journey of Lionel Messi’s potential move to Inter Miami paints a vivid chronology of strategic planning and international connections. It all began on January 30, 2018, when Inter Miami was introduced as the MLS’ newest expansion franchise, with David Beckham and Jorge Mas at the helm. Messi subtly hints at future prospects by congratulating them via video, sparking speculation about an eventual move to the MLS.
Fast forward to September 2019, when the Mas brothers, Beckham, and former Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough journey to Barcelona to meet with Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi. This meeting sets the groundwork for a potential transfer and cultivates a relationship with the player’s camp.
So, Inter Miami owner, Jorge Mas, gave an interview to TyC Sport. He said that his side has built very close relationship with Jorge Messi since 2019 and that they’ve maintained communications, sharing dreams and visions and man. The hatred and accusations Messi’s dad received — pic.twitter.com/bjs0RDof7k
— ChupaChipz🍭 (@thenchipz) July 19, 2023
After an eventful summer, when Messi triumphed at the Copa America with Argentina, he signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 10, 2021.
A significant turn occurs on November 15, 2022, when the Mas brothers meet with MLS Commissioner Don Garber to express their intention to sign Messi once his initial PSG contract concludes. With strategic discussions and partnerships unfolding, including Apple’s expressed interest, Messi’s journey gains momentum.
In May 2023, further talks between Jorge Mas and the Messi family led to a compelling proposal for Messi to sign with Inter Miami, emphasizing the legacy he could leave in MLS. Ultimately, on June 7, 2023, Messi makes a momentous announcement, revealing his decision to join the Herons, marking a historic milestone for both the player and the league.