Lionel Messi set to make Inter Miami debut in Leagues Cup on July 21, owner Jorge Mas hails 'seminal moment'

Lionel Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut on July 21, according to club managing owner Jorge Mas. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has joined MLS side Inter Miami after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired. Ad Inter Miami are bottom of the Eastern Conference with 15 points from 17 games.

FootballMessi confirms retirement from World Cup13/06/2023 AT 14:46 While they look like they need a sprinkling of Messi stardust as soon as possible, he likely won’t feature until July 21 in a League Cups match against Mexican team Cruz Azul. The game will be played at DRV PNK Stadium, which is Inter Miami’s temporary home as they wait for a permanent stadium in Miami. Mas said Messi’s arrival is “the one seminal moment” in football in the USA.

“I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States,” he is quoted as saying by the Miami Herald. “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 emphasise 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…Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference. Messi says he will not play at 2026 World Cup Kante follows Ronaldo, Benzema to Saudi Arabia “I think it’s incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.” Inter Miami are set to increase capacity at DRV PNK Stadium to prepare for Messi’s arrival. “Lionel Messi is going to be the greatest ambassador and recruiter in the history of Major League Soccer,”