Messi's cultural impact on MLS and global football at large was once again clear in his jersey sales. Even if the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner saw his hold on the top spot in sales among all clubs worldwide snatched by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, he remains the top dog in MLS for the fourth year in a row. His influence, no doubt, has Miami among the global leaders in merch sales. According to Marca , only four more clubs in football sold more kits than Miami - and no other MLS club cracked the top 10.
Surprisingly, though, the World Cup saw a boost for foreign imports. Since his arrival in Chicago in June, Lewandowski led all players in jersey sales - including Messi. Antoine Griezmann, who signed for Orlando City in March but didn't feature until the summer, also cracked the top five after the World Cup.
Cavan Sullivan creeping up the standings
American influence in the top 10 was admittedly limited, with just one USMNT-er cracking the list. That player was Cavan Sullivan, who grabbed headlines by breaking several records for the Philadelphia Union after establishing himself as a first-team regular in June. His late-season surge, which saw him set a new record for goal contributions among MLS teenagers , pushed the previously down-and-out Union into a playoff spot.
The top 10, in full
| PLAYER |
TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1. Leo Messi |
Inter Miami |
| 2. Son Heung-Min |
LAFC |
| 3. Thomas Muller |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
| 4. Robert Lewandowski |
Chicago Fire |
| 5. Antoine Griezmann |
Orlando City |
| 6. Cavan Sullivan |
Philadelphia Union |
| 7. Denis Bouanga |
LAFC |
| 8. Luis Suarez |
Inter Miami |
| 9. Hany Mukhtar |
Nashville SC |
| 10. Rodrigo De Paul |
Inter Miami |
