The highly anticipated debut of soccer legend Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer (MLS) will be deferred slightly, according to officials, as Inter Miami’s reentry into the league is postponed owing to their progress in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals.
After a stellar performance in his initial matches for Inter Miami, Messi’s entry into the MLS had generated significant buzz. The Argentine maestro scored in three consecutive games, including a pivotal victory against Orlando City, propelling his team into the last 16 of the tournament.
In an exhilarating showdown on Monday, Messi continued to shine, netting two goals that led Inter Miami to a thrilling victory over FC Dallas on penalties (5-3), following a riveting 4-4 draw. The team is now set to face Charlotte FC on Friday, with the winner progressing to either the Leagues Cup final or the third-place match on August 19.
The originally scheduled fixture for Inter Miami against Charlotte FC at home on August 20 has been deferred to a yet-to-be-determined date, as confirmed by MLS in a recent statement.
While the highly anticipated MLS debut of Messi remains on the horizon, the earliest projection for the event is now Saturday, August 26, when Inter Miami is poised to take on the New York Red Bulls.
As fans eagerly await Messi’s formal entry into the MLS, Inter Miami’s evolving journey in both the Leagues Cup and domestic league promises an exhilarating spectacle for soccer enthusiasts across the globe.