2023-06-20 13:48:50
ESPN Digital20 de jun, 2023, 09:34Lectura: 2 min.
Inter Miami CF plan that Lionel Messi make his debut on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Blue Crossowner Jorge Mas told reporters on Monday.
Messi, 35, said earlier this month that he intends to sign for Miami after leaving the Paris Saint Germainalthough an agreement still remains to be closed.
Messi will soon join Inter Miami after playing for ArgentinaLintao Zhang/Getty Images
In a wide-ranging interview with a small group of reporters, including the Miami Herald, managing owner Mas said the club will not receive a direct subsidy from the MLS and that “the rules will not be changed to incorporate Messi into the Inter Miami squad.”
The Miami plan for Messi, who is on vacation in Rosariois to debut it at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against the Mexican Cruz Azul on July 21.
Mas said Miami is preparing for Messi’s arrival, including working to increase its stadium’s capacity to 22,000 by adding about 3,000 seats. Player security will be improved for both home and away games.
“As you will remember, Argentina trained in Miami before flying to Doha [para la Copa Mundial 2022], where we got to see some of the Messi mania on our doors every day during practice. So we are very prepared. We’ve been preparing for this,” Mas said.
The Argentina captain said last week that he is “eager and ready to face this new challenge” after turning down offers to move to the Barcelona and the Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Mas said he believes Messi’s arrival will be a game changer for Major League Soccer and encouraged other owners to “seize the moment.”
“I think there will always be a ‘before and after Messi’ when we talk about sport in the United States,” he said. “I cannot overemphasize the magnitude of this announcement. Having the best player in the world here is something significant for our league and for the soccer ecosystem in the United States… Lionel Messi comes to this country to win cups and make a difference .
“I think it’s up to me and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.”
1687277282
#Inter #Miami #confirms #plans #Messis #debut #July #Cruz #Azul