When Lionel Messi was signed by Inter Miami FC last July, it was a monumental day for American soccer, Major League Soccer and bettors. Messi delivered a game-winning goal in his first appearance last year and hasn’t looked back since.
Last season, Messi became an odds-on favorite to score a goal on a game-by-game basis and ended up with 11 goals in 12 games. Bettors took advantage, piling into Messi and Inter Miami FC markets.
At DraftKings Sportsbook, no soccer player has made more money for bettors than Messi. And Messi was the most-bet player by both total bets and total dollars wagered, collecting nearly three times as much money as the No. 2 player.
This season, Inter Miami FC (which missed the postseason last year after the hole it dug before the Messi signing) is a +300 favorite to win the MLS title.