When will Lionel Messi play his first game for Inter Miami?
THE MESSI effect is in full swing in Miami, Florida, as international football star Leo Messi prepares for his first game with Inter Miami CF.
Messi announced his commitment to the Major League Soccer (MLS) team on June 7, 2023, after turning down deals from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.
GettyLionel Messi announced his commitment to Miami in June 2023[/caption]
When will Lionel Messi play his first game for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami’s MLS season kicked off on June 10, just three days after Messi committed to the team.
While the season might’ve started, Messi will not be able to hit the field until July 2023.
This is because he is still under contract with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) until June 30.
Miami football fans can expect Messi to make his MLS debut on July 21, 2023, against Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup match.
“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.”
Messi is expected to play with the team for the remainder of the season after making his July 21 debut.
The remaining games will include:
July 25: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
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)
How many teams did Lionel Messi play for?
Messi is arguably one of the best football players of all time, which is why it was a big deal when he announced his commitment to the MLS.
Since he started his career back in the 1990s, he has been seen playing for four additional teams.
His history, as reported on Olympics.com, includes:
1992-1995: Grandoli (Argentina)
1995-2000: Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina)
2000-2021: FC Barcelona (Spain)
2021-2023: PSG (France)
2023-current: Inter Miami (United States)
GettyLionel Messi will make his Miami debut on July 21, 2023[/caption]
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.
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.
