Inter Miami has already set a date for Lionel Messi’s debut. According to Miami’s owner Jorge Mas, the Argentinean superstar will play his first match with the club on July 21 against Cruz Azul as part of the Leagues Cup.
Messi is currently on holiday in his native Argentina and is not officially considered Inter Miami’s player just yet. He needs to wait for his contract with Paris Saint-Germain to expire at the end of June, and there are several details that need to be finalized in his agreement with the MLS side.
Still, Miami is already making preparations for Messi’s arrival. This includes increasing the capacity of their DRV PNK Stadium by 3,000 seats, getting the capacity up to 22,000.
Speaking with Miami Herald earlier this week, Mas confirmed that Messi’s Inter Miami debut is set to take place against Cruz Azul next month. He also talked about the influence Messi will have on soccer and sport overall in the United States.
“I think there will always be a ‘before and after Messi’ when we talk about the sport in the United States,” Mas said. “I cannot overemphasize the magnitude of this announcement. Having the world’s greatest player here is something that is significant for our league and for the football ecosystem in the United States.”
The details of Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami remain under wraps. However, it is certain that the 35-year-old will remain one of the highest-paid players in the world. Reportedly, his annual salary will be in the $60 million range while he’ll also receive part of the profit from streaming and merchandise deals.
