Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has said the club is targeting a July 21 game against Cruz Azul for Lionel Messi’s debut.
Messi announced his intention to join Inter Miami two weeks ago, with the deal set to be finalized imminently.
If all goes according to plan, the ex-Barcelona and PSG star will debut at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium, taking on the Mexican power in the newly expanded Leagues Cup that features every MLS and Liga MX team.
The get-in price for the Inter Miami-Cruz Azul clash is currently more than $1100 on TicketSmarter.
In an interview with a small group of media outlets, including the Miami Herald, Mas added that no MLS rules had been changed for the club to add the Argentina superstar.
“[There were] absolutely no changes in the roster rules,” Mas said. “There are no categories or anything that is being changed to incorporate Lionel Messi onto Inter Miami’s roster.”
The Miami Herald reported that Messi would sign a two-and-a-half-year deal worth $50 million to $60 million per year with an option for 2026. The deal will also include equity in the club after Messi’s retirement.
After a years-long pursuit of the World Cup winner, Mas said he expected the signing to be a seminal moment for MLS.
“I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States,” Mas said. “I have a very, very strong-held belief that we can create in North America and the United States if not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world. I cannot over emphasize the magnitude of this announcement.”
Mas also said that he expected every game Messi plays in to be sold out, adding that the club is looking to add around 3,000 seats to DRV PNK Stadium, which would put capacity around 22,000.
“We are gearing up to do that work in the next four weeks,” Mas said of the stadium increase. “Every game will be sold out. The demand for tickets has been 10 times what we can handle on a season ticket basis.”
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