When could Lionel Messi make his Inter Miami debut?
With it being reported that Lionel Messi is set to sign with Inter Miami, the question has now become: When could he make his Inter Miami debut?
After weeks of speculation and rumors, the legendary Argentine has chosen Inter Miami over a Barcelona return and a Saudi Arabian mega-contract. It finally feels safe to say now that Fabrizio Romano has confirmed it, and an official announcement will likely occur Wednesday.
The Athletic reported that he could make his debut on July 21 against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. DRV PNK Stadium will host the match, meaning Messi would make his debut at home. It is an MLS-Liga MX clash, and those games always garner lots of attention and fans.
It would also give Messi a month’s break after Argentina’s June friendlies against Australia and Indonesia on June 15 and June 19, respectively. This would give him plenty of time to move and acclimate to Miami while also still giving fans a relatively short wait to see him in action.
However, Jonathan Tannewald of the Philadelphia Inquirer is giving a different debut date. claiming that his sources have told him that Messi will not make his debut until August.
I asked someone well connected in MLS circles when to expect Lionel #Messi to debut for #InterMiamiCF.
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) June 7, 2023
“August,” I was told. https://t.co/jMovXBZLb9
This would mean Messi will likely not be participating in the Leagues Cup Tournament, which will be played from mid-July until mid-August. During this time, the MLS will take a month-long break to allow its teams to participate in the tournament.
If this is true, then a realistic debut date for Messi will be August 20 at home against Charlotte FC. This would allow him to make his debut in an MLS game rather than in the Leagues Cup. It would also give him substantially more time to settle into Miami, even if it means a longer wait for fans eager for a Messi appearance.
Whether Messi makes his debut in July or in August, these are incredibly exciting times. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, players in football history will be playing in the U.S.
Get ready, America. Lionel Messi is coming to the MLS this summer.
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