How much would it cost Inter Miami to have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the same team: would it be viable?
David Beckham would dream of having the Portuguese star join Las Garzas and reunite him with the Argentine icon.
The football world is currently reeling from a rumor that sounds more like a video game simulation than reality: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi sharing a locker room. According to reports from Goal.com, David Beckham and the Inter Miami front office have reportedly begun "asking the question" regarding the Portuguese star’s availability. With the 2026 World Cup looming in North America, the timing for the most ambitious marketing and sporting move in history could not be more perfect.
The Context: A Championship Foundation
Inter Miami isn't just a "retirement home" anymore; they are the gold standard of American soccer. Fresh off their 2025 MLS Cup championship—the first in the club's history—the "Herons" are looking for a way to top an almost perfect season. Lionel Messi, whose contract extension runs until 2028, has already transformed the club into a global icon. However, bringing in his career-long rival to be his primary strike partner would be a move of unprecedented proportions.
The "Ronaldo Discontent" in Riyadh
Why now? The timing stems from a growing rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. Despite a contract running until 2027 that pays him an astronomical $200 million per year (reaching up to $600 million with bonuses), the Portuguese legend is reportedly frustrated.
Early February 2026 has seen reports of Ronaldo going on a "soft strike," missing matches and training sessions as a protest against Al-Nassr’s perceived lack of investment compared to their rivals, Al-Hilal. This friction has opened a window of opportunity for David Beckham to present a new challenge in a city where Ronaldo’s brand would arguably shine brighter than anywhere else in the world.
The Financial Chess Match: How to Pay the GOATs
The biggest hurdle is, naturally, the money. Beckham would need to bridge a massive gap between Ronaldo’s Saudi earnings and the MLS financial structure:
- The Messi Model: Currently, Messi earns over $20 million in base salary as a Designated Player (DP). However, his true earnings are amplified by revolutionary revenue-sharing agreements with Apple TV and Adidas.
- The Ronaldo Requirement: CR7’s base salary in Saudi Arabia is roughly 10 times higher than Messi's MLS base. For a move to Miami to work, Beckham would likely need to offer a similar "hybrid" contract—combining a DP salary slot with a percentage of merchandising, global ad campaigns, and perhaps even an equity stake in the franchise.
- The Release Clause: Rumors suggest a "truce" clause exists in Ronaldo's contract allowing him to leave for a fee around €50 million. When factoring in salary, bonuses, and incentives, the total operation could exceed $300 million per year.
Is It Actually Possible?
While critics point to the age of both players (Messi 38, Ronaldo 41) as a deterrent, the commercial impact would be immeasurable. For the MLS, having both legends in the league during a World Cup year on US soil is a multi-billion dollar opportunity.
Whether it’s a tactical masterstroke or a branding strategy, Beckham has proven that in Miami, "impossible" is just a starting point. If the move happens, the "Garzas" wouldn't just be defending their MLS title; they would be the center of the sporting universe.
