Fact Check: Did Messi’s MLS Presentation Receive 3.5 Billion Views?

In the realm of football, where every move is scrutinized and every statistic is analyzed, a recent claim has stirred up quite a buzz. The claim? That Lionel Messi’s presentation at Inter Miami drew a staggering 3.5 billion views, outstripping Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr presentation, which allegedly amassed 3 billion views. But is this claim grounded in reality, or is it just another hyperbolic rumor? Let’s sift through the facts.

Messi’s Star-Studded Arrival at MLS

Lionel Messi, the Argentine maestro, was officially unveiled as an Inter Miami player amidst a sea of ecstatic fans at the Fort Lauderdale DRV PNK Stadium. The Barcelona legend, now 36, is set to make his debut for his new team, co-owned by none other than superstar David Beckham, against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

The claim that’s been making rounds is that Messi’s presentation shattered all previous records, with a purported 3.5 billion people tuning in to witness the unveiling of the 2022 World Cup-winning player.

““Lionel Messi’s MLS presentation received a record-breaking viewership of 3.5 billion people. This surpassed the previous record of 3 billion viewers set when Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr”

However, this claim has been primarily circulating among football fans on social media and a few unverified blogs. No reputable site has confirmed it, and the club itself has not released any official numbers.

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Presentation: A Look Back at the Facts

In a previous fact-checking exercise we conducted during Ronaldo’s presentation at Al Nassr, we found that the claim of 3 billion views was largely inflated.

“There has been a claim circulating online that 3 billion people watched Cristiano Ronaldo’s presentation as an Al Nassr player. However, upon further examination, it appears that this claim is highly exaggerated and not supported by evidence.”

The Reality of Global Viewership

To put these numbers into perspective, the world’s population is estimated to be around 7.9 billion as of 2023. The claim that 3.5 billion people watched Messi’s presentation would imply that almost 44% of the world’s population tuned in to this event. This is highly unlikely for several reasons:

1. Access to technology: Not everyone in the world has access to the technology needed to watch such an event, such as a television or an internet connection.
2. Time zones and broadcast coverage: The event would have to be broadcast at a time and on channels accessible to people all around the world. Given the different time zones and the fact that not all broadcasters worldwide would have rights to air the presentation, it’s improbable that the event reached such a vast audience.
3. Interest in football: While football is incredibly popular, not everyone in the world is a fan. It’s unlikely that nearly half the world’s population would tune in to watch a player’s club presentation, no matter how famous the player.

Comparing with Other Global Events

For comparison, let’s look at some of the most-watched events in history. The 2018 FIFA World Cup final, one of the most-watched events worldwide, attracted an audience of 1.12 billion viewers. This was a global event, featuring teams from different countries and broadcast worldwide. Yet, it still garnered less than a third of the viewership claimed for Messi’s presentation.

Given these facts, it’s safe to conclude that the claim of 3.5 billion views for Messi’s MLS presentation is likely exaggerated.

The Final Verdict

Considering our previous fact-check on Ronaldo’s presentation and the absence of confirmation from credible sources on Messi’s presentation, it’s reasonable to conclude that the claim of 3.5 billion views for Messi’s MLS presentation is likely overstated.

While Messi’s transition to MLS is undeniably a momentous event in football, it’s crucial to approach such claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. Always remember to verify the facts before accepting everything you read online at face value.

Stay tuned to MandyNews.com for more fact checks and the latest updates in the world of sports.