Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi outshines Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe in La Liga – Despite leaving in 2021
As the 2024-25 La Liga season concluded with new stars rising and new storylines written, an unexpected figure has stolen the spotlight — a player who hasn’t kicked a ball in the league for four years. While the likes of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe dazzled on the pitch, Lionel Messi, the global icon currently plying his trade in the United States, quietly dominated a key statistic back in Spain.
According to a recent report from Barcelona-based economist Marc Cerea, the most popular name on La Liga shirts this season wasn’t a player currently active in Spain’s top flight. “Messi’s shirt is the best-selling shirt in La Liga this season, followed by Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe’s shirts,” Cerea revealed.
Yes, Messi, now with Inter Miami in MLS and absent from La Liga since his emotional 2021 departure, topped the jersey sales charts for the previous season.
This remarkable feat places Messi ahead of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who has been instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic treble, and Mbappe, whose first season at Real Madrid captivated fans across the globe. Despite their undeniable star power, neither could match the gravitational pull of Messi’s enduring legend.
The power of nostalgia and tourism
What makes this feat even more incredible is the logistical barrier in place: Barcelona cannot officially produce Messi jerseys anymore, as licensing rights expired following his departure. However, that hasn’t stopped legions of fans from ensuring his name remains ever-present at the Camp Nou.
“Many supporters, especially tourists visiting the club’s official stores, opt to buy a plain Barcelona jersey and have Messi’s name and iconic number 10 printed on the back,” club sources told Spanish media.
This workaround has become increasingly common, particularly among international fans who visit Barcelona hoping to take home a piece of its golden era. In essence, the Argentine has become the city’s ultimate souvenir — a symbol of footballing greatness and emotional connection.
Outshining the present with the past
The fact that Messi’s shirt outsold that of Lamine Yamal, who recorded 43 goal contributions in his breakthrough season, speaks volumes. Yamal has emerged as Barcelona’s crown jewel, capturing the imagination of a new generation. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid’s marquee addition, brought renewed Galactico energy to the capital.
Yet even amid this generational shift, Messi’s legacy continues to cast a long and unshakable shadow over La Liga. His name on the back of a shirt is not just merchandise — it’s a memory, a symbol, a tribute.
While Yamal and Mbappe are shaping the future of Spanish soccer, Messi remains its most marketable past. His name still sings through the streets of Barcelona and echoes in souvenir shops from the Gothic Quarter to the Camp Nou. His story is written into the very fabric of the league.