Media

Lionel Messi Phenomenon Spurs Specialized Media Attention

Messi joins Taylor Swift and Beyoncé for celebrities to have their beat writer at ‘USA Today.’
The decision comes less than a year after Messi went to the U.S. to play in the MLS.

Feb 21, 2024 | 03:26 pm

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi following the victory against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Move over Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

Two of music’s biggest stars have a third party entering their atmosphere in Lionel Messi. USA Today’s Sports Media Group announced Wednesday that the Argentine soccer star will have his beat writer dedicated to covering him, joining a club previously occupied by Swift and Beyoncé.

This specialized coverage of Messi comes after his first (partial) season in Major League Soccer, which was a boon for the league and Inter Miami CF—and it’s already paying dividends for 2024 and beyond, as the club announced it had sold out its available season tickets for the ’24 MLS season.

Safid Deen, who previously covered the NFL for USA Today and is based in South Florida, will be the Messi beat writer, covering his play, business dealings, and worldwide celebrity. Perhaps the decision is the most significant sign of growth for soccer in America, and how far it has come for a player to warrant sole coverage of a worldwide celebrity approaching 500 million followers on Instagram.