Icon of Soccer meets Icon of the Seas: Messi helps launch cruise ship, new team jersey

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami last summer set off a shopping frenzy for his pink No. 10 jersey, which became the top-selling jersey of 2023 within 45 minutes of its launch on MLSStore.com and the top-selling in the history of the site within three days.

On Tuesday, the Argentine soccer icon was aboard the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s glitzy, massive, brand new Icon of the Seas, to help launch a new version of Inter Miami’s black away “La Noche” jersey. It features the cruise line’s crown and anchor logo in pink, front and center.

The event was billed as “An Iconic Kickoff” and was held in one of the ship’s theaters as Messi and his teammates ringed the stage. Staff wore T-shirts that read: “This is Miami: Home of Icons”. Messi also was a special guest for the official naming of the 5,600-passenger ship, which makes its maiden voyage out of Port Miami on Saturday.

He addressed the audience before the ceremonial champagne bottle breaking and said: “This is a great honor and privilege for me. I know what this boat means for the City of Miami and the entire world, the Icon of the Seas, God bless the ship and all the people who will sail with her.”

“This team that’s in front of you, this partnership, is an embodiment of everything that represents what Miami is,” said Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas, who was on crutches after undergoing knee surgery. “Miami is a city built on dreams of people coming from different countries, different nationalities. It is a cultural mosaic and a melting pot, where dreams can come true.”

Royal Caribbean International last summer was named Inter Miami’s main partner and official vacation partner. Celebrity host Mario Lopez, along with Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami ownership and executives, joined players, staff and fans in the jersey unveiling. The shirts go on sale at 9 p.m. Tuesday, at MLSStore.com and they will be on sale on the Icon ship in February.

Mas said: “When we were looking for a front of jersey partner, with the world’s eyes upon us, I cannot think of a better partner, a local leader in their field of an iconic brand like Royal Caribbean, to make a difference together globally.”

At the end of the ceremony, players were instructed to look under their seats, where there was a box containing an invitation for a free 7-night cruise on Icon of the Seas for the players and their families.

“Today marks a significant moment in an authentic partnership between two South Florida-based powerhouses, both deeply committed to the community we proudly call home,” said Inter Miami chief business officer Xavier Asensi. “We eagerly anticipate our players taking the field and sporting the Royal Caribbean logo on our iconic jerseys in front of our incredible fans at our stadium, across the country and around the globe.”

The shirt was inspired by Miami’s night skyline.

“Both Royal Caribbean Group and Inter Miami share the values of dreaming and determination — and the highs of the unbelievable moments when those dreams come true. It’s exciting to now combine forces, and I can’t wait for the future that our two organizations will forge for our industries, for our fans around the world, and of course, for our local communities here in South Florida,” said Royal Caribbean group president and CEO Jason Liberty.

The multiyear partnership was announced last August. Since then, the partners have come together across stadium LEDs, in-match content, fan zone activations as well as on social and digital platforms.

“We are filled with a great sense of pride to come together with Inter Miami to represent South Florida and the community Royal Caribbean has called home for 55 years,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We’ve created vacation memories with millions of families around the world, and now we’ll be at the center of the memorable moments so many fans make supporting our home team – a team we now call family.”

Making its debut on Saturday, Jan. 27, Icon of the Seas features six waterslides, seven pools, more than 40 dining and beverage options, three-story family townhouses, and a park with more than 30,000 plants.