Jorge Mas, the owner of Real Zaragoza, played a key role in bringing Lionel Messi to the US to play football for Inter Miami.

While David Beckham is the co-founder and face of the team, Mas is the most powerful figure behind the scenes.

He has been dreaming of signing Messi for a long time and took advantage of the player’s desire to “one day live and play in the MLS” to convince him to join Inter Miami.

Mas is the chairman and majority shareholder of Mas Tec, a construction and engineering giant based in Miami.

He and his brother inherited the empire built by their father, a Cuban businessman who immigrated to the US in 1960. Their wealth makes them stand out on the list of the richest people in the world, according to Forbes.

Mas’s love for football led him to acquire a majority stake in Inter Miami several years ago. He also took control of Real Zaragoza in 2022 after buying a 51% stake in the team. As president, Mas is helping the club manage its debts and work towards promotion to La Liga.

This summer, Messi did not return to Barcelona after his contract with PSG expired. He chose Inter Miami over an offer from Saudi Arabia that would have paid him up to 1 billion euros for two seasons.

Inter Miami will pay Messi a salary of 50 million euros per season, with provisions that allow his income to increase significantly.

Mas’s influence and wealth have made him a key figure in the world of football. His ambition and love for the sport have led him to invest in teams and players, including the signing of one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi.