Lionel Messi’s MLS debut has been postponed because of Inter Miami’s progress in the Leagues Cup, where they will face Charlotte in the quarterfinals on Friday. Messi was supposed to make his MLS debut against the same club on August 20, but that has been pushed back.
Messi has been on fire since joining Inter Miami, scoring 7 goals in four games and helping the club reach the last eight. Messi will also make his MLS debut on August 26 when his team takes on the New York Red Bulls. On August 23, they will also travel to FC Cincinnati for a US Open Cup semifinal.
A statement from Inter Miami read, “Major League Soccer (MLS) announced today that Inter Miami CF’s MLS match against Charlotte FC originally scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20 at DRV PNK Stadium has been postponed to a later date to be announced.”
“As both Inter Miami CF and Charlotte FC have advanced to the 2023 Leagues Cup quarterfinals, one of the two clubs will be playing on Aug. 19 in either the Leagues Cup final or third place match.” The statement further reads, “Tickets originally purchased for the Aug. 20 MLS match will be honored for the new date in which the game will be played. For ticketing questions, contact tickets@intermiamicf.com.”
Inter Miami presently stands at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table with 18 points in 22 matches, with 5 victories, three draws, and 14 defeats. The spotlight will be on Messi, who will attempt to lead a comeback. In the meantime, the club hired former Barcelona manager Tata Martino as manager. They also signed former Messi teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.