The Argentine national football team's qualification to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, following its exciting 3-2 victory over Cape Verde at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, went beyond its sporting value and turned into an 'economic and cultural earthquake' that pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy of Florida, cementing the sustainable legacy of star Lionel Messi, according to French newspaper La Tribune.

The newspaper, specializing in finance, technology, industry, and energy, said: 'This World Cup match, which Messi played in his "backyard" and in front of a broad audience that considers him their primary icon, presented a living model of what has become known as the "Messi economy," which generated unprecedented marketing and commercial returns for the American city.'

According to the same source, the tourism, hospitality, and transportation sectors in Florida recorded record numbers, as the Greater Miami Hotel Association announced occupancy rates reaching their maximum at 100% over the weekend, driven by an influx of hundreds of thousands of fans and Latin communities from various US states and South American countries.

It added: 'The average daily spending of the sports tourist in Miami tripled compared to normal rates, which positively impacted the restaurant and retail sectors. In the secondary ticket market, seat prices at Hard Rock Stadium reached astronomical figures, with some tickets sold for thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, sports stores saw a historic surge in sales of Argentina's official blue-and-white jerseys and the famous pink jersey of Inter Miami.'

Jérôme Sillon, an expert for the French newspaper, affirmed that the indirect advertising value generated by the global media coverage of the match placed Miami in the spotlight as a premier destination for sports tourism in the world, free promotion whose marketing value is estimated at millions of dollars that the state will benefit from for years to come.

This victory cemented Miami's status as a second, and de facto, capital of Latin football in North America. The city leveraged its unique demographic nature—where about two-thirds of its population speak Spanish as a native language—to become a major cultural incubator for Messi's enduring legacy.

He added: 'Messi's impact is no longer confined to the pitch; it has extended to reshape the visual and tourism identity of the city. The artistic neighborhood of Wynwood has turned into a major tourist attraction and a pilgrimage destination for fans of the game, thanks to the massive influx of supporters taking photos in front of giant murals of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, such as those designed by Venezuelan artist Alex Campos and Maximiliano Bagnasco. This artistic boom has revitalized the local creative economy and opened doors to global business partnerships with local artists.'

He concluded: 'The overwhelming fan passion on Friday night gave the green light and maximum economic viability to the giant sports investment projects underway in the city, chief among them accelerating the construction of the new Inter Miami stadium (Miami Freedom Park), which is now seen as a permanent physical legacy that will continue to generate profits and attract major events even after the Argentine star's retirement. The Argentine train leaves Miami after leaving behind material gains and a cultural legacy that will change the face of sports and investment in Florida forever, heading to Atlanta for a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash against Egypt next Tuesday.'