The announcement of the arrival of Argentine Lionel Messi at Inter Miami of the MLS caused tremendous expectations in the United States and ticket prices for the possible debut of the Argentine star have already skyrocketed on online sales platforms, to more than 9 thousand dollars for the Inter Miami-Cruz Azul on July 21.
The MLS summer transfer market opens on July 5, so the debut of the Argentine star will not take place until, at least, in the next month.
Read also: Inter Miami confirms the signing of Messi
Posible debut
There are three dates marked on the calendar for the Argentine’s possible debut with Inter Miami, with the most likely set for July 21 in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul.
In that period, Inter Miami will play two games away from home, on July 8 against DC United and on July 15 against Saint Louis City, although sources close to the American league, contacted by EFE, considered it unlikely that the debut of Messi occurs away from home.
Thus, Messi could compete for the first time with the Inter Miami shirt on July 21 in the new Leagues Cup, an official tournament recognized by Concacaf that starts this year and measures the MLS teams with those of Mexico’s Liga MX .
At the moment, the news of Messi’s signing by Inter Miami caused an earthquake on the ticket platforms.
And if Inter Miami is currently bottom team in the East in MLS, going to Lockhart Stadium to see the club debut in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul costs a minimum of $400 on the ‘Vivid Seats’ platform.
The cheapest tickets for DC United-Inter Miami on July 8 sell for $95, while tickets for Saint Louis City-Inter Miami on July 15 already hit $250.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 7, 2023
Signing of Messi by Inter Miami
Inter Miami announced this Wednesday the signing of Messi, who left Paris Saint Germain after two seasons and ruled out options to return to Barcelona or sign for Saudi Al-Hilal.
Inter Miami published a video on its social networks that compiles the dozens of pieces of information circulated in recent months in the international media about the future of Messi, who at times seemed very close to Saudi football.
The video ends showing an ‘M’ for Messi and the ‘yes’ with an accent, to symbolize the decision made by the world champion with Argentina.
The MLS also celebrated the arrival of Messi with a message on its Twitter account in which it ensures that the “greatest is always here, welcome to the MLS Lionel Messi”. Of course, minutes later, the American league deleted the tweet.
Shortly before, Messi announced his desire to sign for Inter Miami in an interview with the Catalan newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
“I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami. I still haven’t closed it one hundred percent. I’m missing a few things, but we decided to continue on the path. If the Barcelona thing didn’t come out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family.”assured the Argentine.