Lionel Messi christens world’s largest cruise ship as footie legend helps Inter Miami value double to £800m

As part of Inter Miami’s collaboration with Royal Caribbean International, LIONEL MESSI has been named the largest cruise ship in the world.

The new ship’s name, Icon of the Seas, was revealed by the famous football player.

14Lionel Messi launched the world’s largest cruise shipCredit: Getty

14The Royal Caribbean vessel is called the Icon of the SeasCredit: Getty

14Royal Caribbean are now a sponsor of Inter MiamiCredit: Getty

The business is now David Beckham’s MLS team’s new shirt sponsor.

The club’s away jerseys will have the emblem emblazoned on the front.

The cruise line operator threw a ceremony at the Port of Miami, which Messi, 36, and his teammates attended.

The highlight of the occasion was when the Argentine World Cup winner set off the custom of shattering a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow by placing a football on a podium.

It is believed that performing this tradition for years will benefit the passengers and the ship’s fortune.

Messi expressed “great pride” in having been given the chance.

“The icon of icons” was introduced to him, and he answered, “Hello, thank you very much.” in Spanish.

“Above all, I would like to thank everyone at Royal Caribbean for granting me this honour.

“It is a great pride for me for everything this ship means to the city of Miami and to the whole world.

“Therefore, I announce that it has been named Icon of the Seas.

“May God bless it and everyone on it.”

The £1.57billion ship is the world’s longest liner at 1,198 feet and weighs 250,800 gross tons.

It has a maximum capacity of 7,600 people.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley also spoke at the event.

He said: ‘We built the biggest, baddest ship on the planet.

“It’s really exciting when you introduce a new class of ship, but it’s even more exciting when it seems to be really spot on.”

The ship offers a variety of entertainment alternatives, according to the firm.

There are seven swimming pools, six water slides, the highest water slide in the world, the largest sea-based waterpark, and the largest waterfall in the world.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami last summer, the team’s valuation has nearly doubled.

Sportico claims that the club is currently valued at £800 million, a significant increase over the £458 million it was worth prior to the attacker’s signing.

The club’s revenue increased from £43 million to £100 million, making it the third most valuable team in the Major League Soccer.

At £900 million, Los Angeles FC is the most valuable team in the league.

At £830 million, Atlanta United is the second most valuable, and at £790 million, LA Galaxy, Beckham’s previous team, is ranked fourth.

According to the New York Times, the Inter Miami jersey is selling the best in North America, outpacing jerseys from teams like Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Arsenal.