Argentina defender Pezzella subscribed to MLS Season Pass to watch Messi

The Apple TV service is seeing a huge jump in subscribers, including some of Messi’s Argentina teammates

Argentina defender Germán Pezzella said he’s signed up for MLS Season Pass in order to follow Lionel Messi’s progress with Inter Miami.

Messi has been a major success since his move to the United States, leading Inter Miami on an 11-game unbeaten run and scoring 11 goals in the process.

The Argentina legend has made a major impact off the field as well, with Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas saying last month that subscriptions to Season Pass on Apple TV had more than doubled after Messi’s move to MLS in July.

One of those subscribers appears to be Pezzella, who was Messi’s teammate on Argentina’s World Cup-winning side last year and is now back with the national team alongside the Inter Miami star for World Cup qualifiers.

Asked if he was watching Messi in MLS, Pezzella told reporters: “Yes, I had to sign up for the subscription because I didn’t have it.”

Pezzella added: “It motivates you because you see everything he has achieved and he continues with the same hunger and desire to compete, wherever he is, in the national team, his previous club, or now in the United States. He always wants more. We have to learn from what he shows, not only with the ball at his feet, but on and off the field.”

MLS and Apple signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion media rights deal last year which saw the technology giant acquire the rights to every game in English and Spanish on its Season Pass subscription service.

In a boost for the partners and for Pezzella, who plays in Spain with Real Betis, there are no geographic restrictions on any of the matches.

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