Inter Miami FC is having difficulty selling tickets for the 2024 Leagues Cup title defense match without talented captain, superstar Messi.
The Argentine star has been injured since the 2024 Copa America final last month. Messi suffered ligament damage to his right ankle in the 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia in Miami, forcing him to leave the field midway through the second half.
It was also the first time in his career that Messi had been substituted in a final. Fortunately, his team went on to win their second consecutive Copa America title and Messi proudly lifted the silverware.
The 37-year-old has since missed the last four games in all competitions, and his return remains unclear. This has affected the Herons’ ticket prices for their League Cup defence, with demand dropping in the absence of superstar Messi.
Messi and his Argentina teammates won the Copa America for the second time in a row, but he was unlucky enough to miss out on an injury. Photo: GETTY.
A year earlier, Messi had vowed to do his best for Inter Miami when he joined Major League Soccer. He delivered on his promise by leading co-owner Beckham’s side to a memorable victory in the tournament last season, the Herons’ first title in history. As a result, the Messi superstar effect saw ticket prices skyrocket to $12,000.
However, 12 months later, La Pulga’s injury-related absence has seen ticket prices plummet, with the cheapest ticket for the 4-3 win over Toronto FC in the round of 32 going for just $4.
Miami Herald journalist Michelle Kaufman noted the drop in ticket prices on the Inside Miami podcast: “I have a feeling that (Leagues Cup) TV ratings may have dropped. Attendance is down, ticket prices are down, and interest in general is probably not as good as it used to be, because of the lack of Messi.” Inter Miami will play in the Leagues Cup round of 16 on August 11, against either the Columbus Crew or Sporting Kansas City.
Without superstar Messi, many spectators were reluctant to buy tickets to watch Inter Miami play. Photo: GETTY.
Lionel Messi made a sensational debut in the 2023 Leagues Cup – the inaugural edition of the tournament – after joining Inter Miami on a free transfer last summer, after 19 years in Europe. In a brilliant season, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored in all seven games – racking up 10 goals and one assist – as the Herons won their first title in their short history.
Superstar Messi scored a stunning free-kick on his Inter Miami debut, helping his side to a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul, and the Herons have never looked back since. In his home debut, Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Miami beat Atlanta 4-0.
Messi scored twice in the first two knockout rounds – including the winner in the penalty shootout in the round of 16. He continued to score in the next three rounds, including a 10–9 penalty shootout win over Nashville SC in the final.
