Football fans in the United States have responded positively to the announcement of Lionel Messi’s imminent arrival at Inter Miami. The excitement generated by this move is unprecedented and has not been seen in years. Messi’s transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will usher in a new era of interest in the sport that is still growing in the United States.
Just 24 hours after the announcement of Messi’s agreement with David Beckham’s club, tickets for all remaining Inter Miami matches this season, both home and away, have sold out. Tickets for the match against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the 2023 Leagues Cup on July 12 sold out within minutes, and now tickets for other Major League Soccer (MLS) matches are following suit.
All Inter Miami tickets for August 20, 2023, have sold out. Inter Miami’s first match will be against Charlotte FC. Considering Messi’s expected debut date is at the end of July, the club has 12 matches that the Argentine player can participate in before the end of the year.
Even Sergio Aguero, Messi’s close friend, said he asked Messi for tickets but couldn’t get any. Inter Miami’s Instagram page (6.1 million followers) now has more followers than the Dallas Cowboys (4.5 million).
Media outlets in the United States have reported that ticket prices have skyrocketed, with resale tickets ranging from $300 to $3,500, depending on the game and seat location in various stadiums across the country that Messi will visit.
Various reports indicate that ticket prices have surged from below $30 to over $300 after news of Messi’s move to MLS broke.
Messi’s debut date has not been confirmed, but that hasn’t stopped fans from going wild and rushing to get tickets. In some cases, tickets are being sold for over $3,000 for a chance to see him play.
The Messi fever in Miami has spread throughout America. MLS currently stands for Major League Soccer, but how long will it take before the “M” means Messi?
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Miami Heat NBA star Jimmy Butler expressed his excitement about the potential impact of Lionel Messi’s arrival in Miami following the news that the Argentine striker decided to play for Inter Miami.
Messi, 35, announced last Wednesday that he intends to join the Major League Soccer (MLS) club after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of June. The news that one of the greatest players in history will be heading to South Beach has caused a frenzy in the football world, including in Miami, Florida.
Butler, a prominent figure for the Miami Heat currently facing the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, was asked during a media meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023, about the impact he believes Messi can have on soccer in the United States.
“A lot of good things,” he said. “Clearly, he’s one of the greatest players to ever play the beautiful game. I’m very excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of his caliber here.”
“Clearly, we’re in the NBA Finals and have a chance to do something special. Now that he’s here, I think all soccer fans from around the world will come here and have an opportunity to watch him play. I’m glad he’s here.”
Messi’s arrival promises to raise Inter Miami’s profile in a city that is also home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, MLB’s Miami Marlins, NHL’s Florida Panthers, and the Miami Heat.
Butler is not alone among the city’s sports elite in welcoming Messi to the city. “I just want to welcome Lionel Messi. Now we have two number 10s, but I just want to know who’s faster,” joked Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ number 10 wide receiver, in a video message last Wednesday.
With the Heat trailing 1-2 against the Nuggets heading into Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Saturday, June 10, 2023, and with Messi still having time to complete his contract at PSG, Butler said he would take his time before attempting to meet the former Barcelona icon.
“I won’t say that I know him well, but I have met him before,” Butler said. “Will I reach out? Maybe not. I know he probably has a lot going on.”
