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June 20 (UPI) — According to team managing owner Jorge Mas, Lionel Messi is set to make his debut for Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul on July 21 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Mas shared this information during a meeting with reporters on Monday. Messi had previously announced his decision to join the 5-year-old MLS franchise on June 7. Mas stated that the contract terms had been agreed upon but paperwork and visas were being finalized.
“Having the world’s greatest player here is something that is significant for our league, and for the football ecosystem in the United States,” Mas said, as reported by the Miami Herald.
Inter Miami will be hosting Cruz Azul, a team from Mexico’s Liga MX, in the Leagues Cup game at 8 p.m. EDT on July 21 at DRV PNK Stadium.
As of Tuesday morning, the lowest price for a ticket to the game was $995 (before fees) on the secondary market. Ticket prices for games before Messi’s planned arrival are listed as low as $21.
After the match against Cruz Azul, Inter Miami will host Atlanta United in another Leagues Cup game on July 25 in Fort Lauderdale.
This will be followed by an MLS game against Charlotte FC on August 20 at DRV PNK Stadium. Inter Miami will then have away matches against FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls, before returning on August 30 for a match against Nashville SC.
Mas also mentioned that DRV PNK Stadium will increase its capacity from 22,000 to 22,200 for Messi’s arrival. The franchise is still planning to construct a new stadium, with a target opening date in 2025. Safety measures have been enhanced in preparation for Messi’s arrival.
There has been speculation that Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami could attract other star players from Europe’s top leagues to the MLS. Mas posted a photo of three blank Inter Miami jerseys on social media, hinting that two other players could also join Messi as teammates soon.
Sources have revealed that Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former teammate at FC Barcelona, is finalizing a deal to join Inter Miami. Other players recently linked to the club include Jordi Alba, a former Barcelona defender, and Angel Di Maria, a midfielder for Juventus.
Inter Miami’s next match is against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa. The team currently has a record of 5-12 this season, the worst in the Eastern Conference.
