Miami Mayor Leverages Messi Mania for Presidential Bid

Everyone in South Florida seems to be getting in on Messi Mania — and now one politician is using it to bolster his presidential ambitions.

Speaking at the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach, Miami mayor Francis Suarez announced that he would be giving away two “front row” tickets to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut with a contribution of at least $1 to his presidential campaign.

The fine print in a follow-up tweet clarifies that there is no purchase necessary to enter the raffle, as requiring contributions for prizes is illegal under election law.

Suarez officially launched his 2024 campaign for the United States presidency on June 15. He is currently polling at 0.1% for the Republican primary, with former president Donald Trump in the lead at 50%, per FiveThirtyEight.

Messi was formally introduced as the newest member of Inter Miami in a rain-soaked, raucous ceremony at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday.

The legendary player is scheduled to play his first game in Miami pink on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Cruz Azul.