14 August 2023 , 19:56
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Lionel Messi will star in a new docu-series set for Apple TV+.
So far, the Argentine playing for Inter Miami CF has proved to be a match made in heaven and he has scored eight goals in just five appearances for his new club. The streaming platform provides coverage of every MLS game and they are keen to make the most of the World Cup winner's presence in the league.
The program is set to feature six episodes and will document “the first and only behind-the-scenes account of Messi’s new chapter.” This will mark the second Messi series for Apple TV Plus, with the first one following his journey to winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Neither series has a title or release date at the moment.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently commented on Messi’s impact in Miami over such a short period of time. Fans have been signing up for Apple TV+ in their droves and according to Cook, he has helped the company beat its targets in terms of subscribers already.
"We are excited about our MLS partnership, and we're thrilled to see Messi suiting up with Inter Miami,” he said during the Silicon Valley firm's quarterly earnings call for the three months ending on July 1. “It's clearly in the early days, but we are beating our expectation in terms of subscribers, and the fact that Messi went to Inter Miami helped us out there a bit – and so we're very excited about it."
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The increase in revenue for Apple TV+ also benefits Messi himself, as the 36-year-old’s contract reportedly states he will receive a revenue share of subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass. Since it was established in February, the pass has been made available in 107 countries.
The MLS struck a deal with Apple at the start of 2023 to show every MLS game for the next ten seasons. Subscribers can also view up to four games at a time through the platform's multiple choice option which allows users to swap between audio for the games available.
More fans have been buying the MLS Season Pass operated by Apple TV (Getty Images)Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas hinted at the commercial benefits of this deal in a previous interview with El Pais. "What I do know is that conversations with Apple are going very well and that their interests are aligning," he said. "If soccer grows in the United States, he will benefit. It’s a fair deal."
Messi’s most recent goal came in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Charlotte in the Leagues Cup quarter-final. He scored the final goal of the game after goals from Josef Martinez, Robert Taylor and an own goal from Adilson Malanda put the hosts 3-0 up.
Messi walked out with club owner David Beckham ’s daughter Harper Seven before the game and she beamed with pride as she stood next to the football icon. Inter Miami’s latest victory booked them a place in the last four against Philadelphia Union set for two days time.