MLS announces top-selling jerseys with surprise package behind Lionel Messi

29 September 2023 , 19:04

1190     0

Lionel Messi shirts have sold at unprecedented levels since his move to Inter Miami (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

It comes as no surprise that Inter Miami jerseys bearing Lionel Messi's name have been flying off the shelves but a surprise player is second to the superstar when it comes to sales.

So-called 'Messi mania' has swept the US since the Argentine legend headed stateside over the summer, with Miami merchandise having become a must-have item for many fans. However, when it comes to the next most popular star in MLS, St. Louis City forward João Klauss may have a solid claim.

That is because the shirts with the Brazilian striker's name on the back are second only to the Vice City talisman when it comes to sales on the MLSstore.com website in 2023. Having signed from Hoffenheim in 2022, the 26-year-old has proven a handy asset for the new outfit.

On the pitch, he has struck a perfectly respectable eight goals in 16 appearances in MLS so far this campaign. Off the pitch, his signing has proven dividends too, as he became the most prominent of three St. Louis stars to feature in the top 25 in terms of shirt sales.

Following on from them, Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar rounds out the top three with Austin FC's Sebastián Driussi and LAFC's Carlos Vela making the top five. In terms of most players in the top ten, though, it is Seattle Sounders who have proven the most popular.

Apple TV release MLS Season Pass worldwide and announce free opening weekend

The 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners, who sit third in the Western Conference, have had big sales via Jordan Morris (No. 6), Raúl Ruidíaz (No. 7), and Cristian Roldan (No. 10). Aside from Messi, Inter Miami also have three players in the top 25 in the form of Sergio Busquets and Josef Martínez.

Other household names who made the top 25 list include Atlanta United's Thiago Almada in eighth, Javier Hernández of LA Galaxy in 12th and his teammate Riqui Puig in 15th. There is also a place for New England Revolution star Carles Gil, with the ex-Aston Villa man coming 22nd.

Sales of shirts bearing Joao Klauss' name have been second to only Lionel Messi

Intriguingly, former Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, now of Chicago Fire, rounds out the list. Without further ado, Mirror Sport has compiled the list of best-selling MLS jerseys in full...

Top selling MLS jerseys for 2023

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)

2. João Klauss (St. Louis City SC)

3. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

4. Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC)

5. Carlos Vela (LAFC)

6. Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)

7. Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders FC)

MLS ace training alone after missing out on dream Barcelona transfer by seconds

8. Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)

9. Eduard Löwen (Louis City SC)

10. Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)

11. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

12. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández (LA Galaxy)

13 Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF)

14. Tim Parker (St. Louis City SC)

15. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)

16 Brandon Vázquez (FC Cincinnati)

17. Karol Świderski (Charlotte FC)

18. John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls)

19. Diego Chará (Portland Timbers)

20. Dénis Bouanga (LAFC)

21. Josef Martínez (Inter Miami CF)

22. Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

23. Dániel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union)

24. Enzo Copetti (Charlotte FC)

25. Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire FC)

Tom Beattie