July 19, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi is poised to make his highly anticipated Major League Soccer debut with Inter Miami on Friday night, as confirmed by Miami coach Tata Martino.
While Messi and newly signed Sergio Busquets are ready to take to the field, Martino has yet to determine whether they will start or come off the bench in the teams’ Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul. Confident about the fitness levels of Messi and Busquets, Martino said: “From what I have seen up to now, they are fit to play, and it is likely that on Friday, they can be there.” The decision about their involvement will be made closer to the game.
The recent signing of Busquets, Messi’s long-term teammate at FC Barcelona, adds another dimension to Inter Miami’s lineup. Fans willing to be part of this historic event have been picking up tickets for the match, which are expectedly in high demand, with prices ranging from $275 to $110,000 according to ticket reselling website Vivid Seats. This reflects the immense excitement and anticipation surrounding Messi’s debut in the MLS.
Although currently languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Martino believes that Inter Miami fans will witness the best version of Messi, stating: “He is coming to MLS carrying an empty suitcase but without all the pressure he had in Barcelona in 2010-11 or the pressure of the national team. Now, I think I am going to find a very competitive version of him because he has the need to win wearing this shirt now because he has not won here yet.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
