da bet nacional： Lionel Messi has decided that his next sporting adventure will take him to the United States, with the Argentine icon linking up with Inter Miami.
da pinup bet： Having starred in Europe for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, winning countless major honours along the way, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is preparing to take his unique skill set to MLS. Messi will be joining forces with David Beckham in Florida – with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England star now a co-owner in Miami.
The arrival of Messi in America is understandably causing quite a stir, with interest from Barca and the Middle East being snubbed in favour of heading to DRV PNK Stadium, but when will he be seen in action for the first time? GOAL takes a look…
GettyHow to buy tickets for Inter Miami & MLS matches
Tickets for Inter Miami’s game against Cruz Azul on July 21 in the inaugural Leagues Cup – the game in which Messi could make his debut – were selling for $29 prior to news of a remarkable transfer breaking. The cheapest seats then soared to $329, while an upcoming fixture against the New York Red Bulls – which is due to take place in the Big Apple on August 27 – has seen asking prices rise from $30 to $401 and a visit to LAFC on September 4 will see fans having to stump up $422, as opposed to the original $81 entry fee.
Tickets to Inter Miami games can be purchased here through Ticketmaster, with the MLS regular season due to run through to October 21 – with the play-offs getting underway four days later.
Anybody wanting to catch a glimpse of competitive action from afar, with Messi set to be the biggest of draws, can do so by acquiring a MLS Season Pass with Apple TV+ right here.
AdvertisementGettyWhen will Lionel Messi arrive in the United States?
Messi has spent the last two seasons on the books of PSG, claiming a couple of Ligue 1 titles at Parc des Princes. The decision was made some time ago not to sign a new contract in the French capital, allowing the 35-year-old to drop into the free agent pool.
His deal in Paris is not due to expire until June 30, meaning that there are still a few weeks left to run on that agreement – with the South American icon set to enjoy a family break at the end of a hectic 2022-23 campaign in which he became a World Cup winner. Having seen a four-year contract put in place with Inter Miami, Messi is due to join up with new employers on July 5.
GettyWhen will Lionel Messi make his debut for Inter Miami?
There has been a change to the schedule in MLS this year, with regular season action set to be paused following the matchday weekend of July 15-16. At that point, the 2023 Leagues Cup – a tournament involving MLS and Liga MX sides – will be added to the fixture list.
Inter Miami will form part of group South 3 in that event, alongside Cruz Azul and Atlanta United. If Messi is on fully board and considered to be match fit, then his debut could be made against Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium on July 21. In June, club managing owner Jorge Mas confirmed that this date has been earmarked for Messi's maiden Herons bow. Inter Miami will then face Atlanta four days later, with the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup beginning on August 2.
Getty/GOALWhen will Lionel Messi play his first game in MLS?
With MLS action set to be on hold by the time that Messi makes his way to the States, a first outing in domestic competition will be slightly delayed. There is, however, every chance that his MLS bow will come in a home date with Charlotte FC on August 21.
Ticket prices for the Cruz Azul and Charlotte fixtures are already soaring, with everybody eager to catch a glimpse of all-time great Messi as he prepares to open a new chapter in what has been a truly remarkable career.