THE LIONEL MESSI effect is in full swing in Florida as the Argentine superstar prepares for his first game with Inter Miami CF.
Messi announced he had joined the MLS club on June 7, 2023, after turning down deals from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.
When will Lionel Messi play his first game for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami have struggled in MLS this season with defeats to fellow Floridian side Orlando City as well as both New York City and New York Red Bulls.
Although the David Beckham-owned side continues to play in games,Messi will not be able to take to the field until July 2023.
The Argentine forward's contract with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain ran until June 30.
But even then, Messi will have to wait to make his MLS debut, with his first game for Inter Miami expected to be against Cruz Azul on July 21 in the Leagues Cup.
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"Having the world’s greatest player here is something that is significant for our league, and for the football ecosystem in the United States," Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said in an interview with The Miami Herald.
"Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference. I think it’s incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.”
Tickets to watch Lionel Messi's debut for Inter Miami against Cruz Azul will cost anywhere from $350 to $2,000 on Ticketmaster.
When will Lionel Messi make his MLS debut for Inter Miami?
Messi will likely have to wait until August 20 before he makes his Major League Soccer debut as the MLS takes a break for the Leagues Cup.
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The international tournament pits teams from the MLS and Mexico's Liga MX in a mini-competition in North America.
Yet, should the Argentine come through unscathed, he will play his first game in the league against Charlotte FC.
But lucky fans will have to spend at least $239 for a ticket at the DRV PNK Stadium, with some going for $8,798 each on SeatGeek.
Messi is expected to play with the team for the remainder of the season after making his July 21 debut.
Inter Miami's remaining MLS games include:
- August 20: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- August 26: New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami at Red Bull Arena (Harrison, New Jersey)
- August 30: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- September 3: Los Angeles FC vs. Inter Miami at BMO Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
- September 9: Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- September 16: Atlanta United FC vs. Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
- September 20: Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- September 24: Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami at Exploria Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
- September 30: Inter Miami vs. New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- October 4: Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami at Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois)
- October 7: Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- October 21: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami at Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
When Lionel Messi be unveiled as a Inter Miami player?
Lionel Messi will be presented as an Inter Miami payer at half-time of the Gold Cup final.
The club announced an event called 'The Unveil' which is set to take place on Sunday at 8pm ET at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Why will Lionel Messi not play for MLS All-Stars vs Arsenal?
Before Messi has the opportunity to play for his new club Inter Miami, the MLS All-Stars will face Premier League side Arsenal at Audi Field in Washington, DC on July 19.
With the arrival of such a global superstar, some had expected the Argentine to be called up to feature in the team made up of the best the league has to offer.
Although rules state that they should have already played for a club in the MLS, the league's commissioner Don Garber had two picks of his choice where he could have selected Messi.
However, Garber chose Kei Kamara and Mathieu Choiniere, meaning that Messi's debut in the US will have to wait a little longer.
How much is Lionel Messi's contract?
Details on Messi's contract have been released sporadically since he made the announcement.
At this time, the exact numbers have not been revealed, but it will reportedly include profit sharing with Apple and Adidas, two of MLS’s biggest commercial partners, according to NBC Sports.
Messi will also reportedly have the option to purchase a minority stake in Inter Miami.
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NBC Sports states that Messi could earn close to $60million per year with this new deal.
Prior to signing with Miami, Messi turned down a three-year, $1.6billion offer from Saudi Arabia.
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