NYSportsJournalism.com - Tracking Messi: News, Updates, Analysis

Thursday

Dec052024

Tracking Messi: News, Analysis, Updates

Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 01:26PM

NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service

January 10, 2025: Inter Miami CF unveiled its 2025 preseason schedule in preparation for the 2025 season. The club with Lionel Messi will play five matches across North, South and Central America; Inter Miami will visit Peru, Panama, and Honduras, joining previously named matches in Tampa and Las Vegas to complete the club’s 2025 preseason across the Americas.

“We’re very excited to unveil the five matches against domestic and international opponents across the Americas that will prepare us for a highly anticipated 2025,” Raúl Sanllehí, president of Football Operations, said via the team.

“These fixtures will put us in the best possible position ahead of an unparalleled campaign with various competitions we're playing for this year - the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and MLS.”

December 5, 2024: Lionel Messi has been named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, crowning a campaign in which he captained Inter Miami CF en route to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield title and the MLS single-season points record (74).

Messi led MLS with 36 goal contributions (20g/16a), the fifth-highest single-season total in league history despite only playing in 19 matches (1,485 minutes) despite injuries and Copa América duty.

November 26, 2024: MLS Inter Miami CF has named Javier Mascherano as their head coach through the 2027 MLS season, replacing Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who departed the club last week due to personal reasons. Mascherano is a former teammate of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.

This is Mascherano's first club coaching job. (Full story here.)

In 2024, Inter Miami won the Supporters' Shield and set the MLS single-season points record (74). However, they suffered a Round One exit from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs against Eastern Conference No. 9 seed Atlanta United.

October 3, 2024: MLS Inter Miami and Lionel Messi clinched the MLS Supporters Shield with the league’s best regular season record last night via a 3-2 win at the Columbus Crew.

As the No. 1 overall seed, Inter Miami now has home-field advantage thru the playoffs and would potentially host the MLS Cup presented by Audi championship on Dec. 7 in Chase Stadium (if they advance that far).

MLS said for Inter Miami’s playoff opener Oct. 25, Apple TV would make the match available to the public, whether or not they have an MLS Season Pass subscription. The match will also be shown live in New York’s Times Square on Silvercast Media’s high-definition “Mega-Zilla,” a 78-foot by 330-foot digital TV display that spans an entire city block (Broadway between 45th and 46th Sts.).

Inter Miami will play the winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card match, which will be played on Tuesday, October 22.

The Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket and schedule details for Wild Card and Round One matches will be announced following the final day of MLS regular season action, Decision Day, on Oct. 19.

July 14, 2024: NBC Sports: Argentina staked their claim to the title of greatest national team to ever do it on Sunday, beating Colombia 1-0 in extra time of the 2024 Copa America final to lift their third major trophy in four summers.

Lionel Messi was subbed off shortly after the hour mark with an injured right ankle. Messi was later seen in tears on the Argentina bench, with a badly swollen ankle on which he could put very little weight during the post-game trophy celebrations.

May 4, 2024: ESPN: Lionel Messi set the Major League Soccer record for most goal contributions and assists — a goal and five assists — in a single match during Inter Miami CF's triumphant 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi's six (total) goal contributions and five assists in a game set MLS records. He has now scored and assisted in six consecutive league matches. (Full story here.)

April 27, 2024: AP Sports: Lionel Messi scored two goals to excite a New England Revolution-record crowd, leading Inter Miami CF to a 4-1 victory on Saturday night (April 27).

Messi didn’t disappoint the crowd of 65,612 that filled Gillette Stadium, scoring on a left-footed kick from deep inside the box for his ninth goal of the season, breaking a 1-all tie in the 68th minute. (Full story here.)

April 12, 2024: Lay’s Messi O-Lay’s

February 20, 2024: Pitch Perfect: Messi’s Inter Miami Home Venue Has A New Name: Chase Stadium

February 10, 2024: ESPN: Both of Argentina's planned friendlies in China have been canceled by local authorities after Lionel Messi did not play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last weekend.

Beijing's football association said on Saturday that it would not organise Argentina's scheduled friendly clash against the Ivory Coast in March. The news comes a day after Hangzhou's sports authorities also canceled a friendly between Argentina and Nigeria.

Messi's failure to play in Hong Kong on Sunday caused widespread anger among fans, with China's state-controlled Global Times saying the "impact of this incident has far exceeded the realm of sports." Full story here.

January 24, 2024: Royal Caribbean International, Inter Miami's main partner and official vacation partner, will become the team’s official jersey partner on every Inter Miami jersey beginning with the upcoming 2024 campaign.

January 23, 2024:Bitget cryptocurrency exchange has unveiled “Bitget x Messi: Make It Count” to celebrate the second year of their alliance.

January 19, 2024: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF begin their seven-game international preseason tour with a friendly tonight (Jan. 19) against the host El Salvador national team that streams exclusively on MLSsoccer.com (English) and MLSes.com (Spanish). The next game is against Host FC Dallas Jan. 22.

Full schedule here.

December 20, 2023: The 29th MLS season has the earliest start in league history, beginning with a standalone Feb. 21 match featuring Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi in DRV PNK Stadium vs. Real Salt Lake.

December 14, 2023: Sotheby's New York said that six of the shirts Lionel Messi wore during Argentina’’s 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup campaign, including one from their final victory against France, sold for $7.8 million at auction. Sotheby’s said this sets a record for Messi memorabilia.

Messi said a portion of the proceeds would be “donated to UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Déu (SJD) Barcelona Children's Hospital to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases."

December 11, 2023: Inter Miami CF said it would travel to Saudi Arabia during 2024 preseason to participate in the Riyadh Season Cup as part of the club’s first international tour. The team will play two matches in the country in a round-robin tournament format, taking on Saudi teams Al-Hilal SFC and Al Nassr FC.

Inter Miami will play Al-Hilal in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh Jan. 29. On Feb. 1, the team will face Al Nassr at the Kingdom Arena. The match will see Inter Miami star Lionel Messi play against Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other 35 times in their careers, with Messi claiming 16 wins to 10 by Ronaldo, and nine draws.

The move is a reversal from November, when Inter Miami CF Communications Department said “an announcement was issued stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate.”

December 7, 2023: Inter Miami CF said it plans to travel to Asia this February for the club’s first-ever international tour. The team will play a match in Hong Kong, taking on the Hong Kong Team, a collection of the bestplayers from the Hong Kong First Division League. The match is scheduled in 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium on Feb. 4.

Inter Miami said that other matches on the tour would be unveiled. Lionel Messi will be part of the tour.

"We're very excited to be visiting Hong Kong and indeed Asia for the very first time," Jorge Mas, Inter Miami CF managing owner, said via the club.

"From the very beginning we set out to be a global club at Inter Miami. This is a wonderful opportunity to do just that; we hope to enthuse and inspire new Inter Miami fans in Hong Kong and across Asia who share our passion for fútbol.”

December 5, 2023: Lionel Messi has been named Time’s 2023 Athlete of the Year.

December 4, 2023: Miami Herald: The 2024 Copa America venues and match schedule were announced on Monday, and there was big news for South Florida fans: The Argentina national team, led by Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, will play its third group stage game at Hard Rock Stadium on June 29.

It was already known that Hard Rock Stadium would host the tournament final on July 14, which means Miami fans might have two chances to see Messi if Argentina reaches the championship game.

The Copa America, which is traditionally held in South America, will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14. Full story here.

November 30, 2023: Inter Miami CF will play their first exhibition match of the 2024 preseason against the El Salvador national team, the club said today.

The match is scheduled to take place in Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador on Jan. 19, 2024. Additional information, including ticketing and broadcast details, will be unveiled at a later date.

“We’re excited to start announcing our preseason plans and preparations ahead of a thrilling 2024 campaign," Chris Henderson, Inter Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director, said via the club. "We look forward to facing the El Salvador national team in what will be a good first test for our squad against the best players from the country.”

The club also said it has sold out of season tickets for the 2024 MLS regular season in DRV PNK Stadium. People “will have the opportunity to sign up to purchase the remaining single-match tickets to catch a game during the 2024 MLS regular season while supplies last.”

November 22, 2023: ESPN: Lionel Messi ended his final match of the calendar year with a groin injury that forced him to be substituted in Argentina's 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday (Nov. 21) at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

The Argentina captain, who was replaced in the 78th minute, said he felt pain in his groin after the match, which was marred by clashes between fans and police.

November 21, 2023: CBS Sports: Inter Miami have rejected claims that they will be part of the Riyadh Season Cup lineup in Saudi Arabia come February of next year after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were billed to face off one final time.

The competition was announced without Inter Miami, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal officially confirming their participation with "stars of all participating clubs" expected for the event which is supposed take place at the recently inaugurated Kingdom Arena.

Via Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal: “It's the last dance of football greatness! Ronaldo vs Messi clash on the pitch. Watch Inter Miami FC compete against Al-Nassr FC in the Riyadh Season Cup.”

From Inter Miami CF Communications Department: “Earlier today, an announcement was issued stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate.

“The release included statements attributed to team owner Jorge May. Has made no comments, publicly or privately, in relation to the preseason tour.

“Since day one, Inter Miami CF has set out to be a global brand. To this end, we have been in conversations to determine our 2024 preseason schedule.

“We look forward to showcasing our players on Inter Miami CF’s first international tour which will be announced in the coming weeks.”

November 10, 2023: MLS.com: A South Florida-style party erupted Friday night as Lionel Messi triumphantly presented his latest Ballon d’Or award — the eighth in his legendary career – to Inter Miami CF fans at DRV PNK Stadium.

As Messi walked down the golden carpet laid out in front of him, he lifted his world-record Ballon d’Or award towards the crowd. Soon after, when it was Messi's turn to speak, he promised more titles for the Herons.

The 36-year-old, who soon joins Argentina to continue World Cup Qualifying in South America, played the entirety of an ensuing friendly match to commemorate "Noche d'Or," which ended in a 2-1 loss against New York City FC.

November 1, 2023: Inter Miami CF said its two-game exhibition tour of China has been called off.

"The tour promoter, NSN, has informed Inter Miami CF of the cancellation of its China Tour due to unforeseen circumstances in China," the club posted to its Web site.

“Inter Miami's ambition remains to expand its global reach by playing in front of incredible fans from across the globe; the Club will continue to explore future opportunities with NSN to achieve this goal."

Inter Miami had been scheduled to play Qingdao Hainiu FC on Nov. 5 and Chengdu Rongcheng on Nov. 8.

October 30, 2023: AP Sports: Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time on Monday after fulfilling his life’s ambition by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar last year. The list reads 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.

The 36-year-old Messi won ahead of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for guiding Spain to victory at the Women’s World Cup in August. She also helped Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League and Spanish league. Full story here.

October 21, 2023: InterMiamiFC.com: Inter Miami CF (9W-18L-7D, 34 points) closed out its 2023 MLS regular season campaign and fourth season in the league tonight with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Charlotte FC on the road at Bank of America Stadium.

Captain Lionel Messi and Diego Gómez started on the wings alongside striker Leonardo Campana.

October 18, 2023: Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi is MLS' highest-paid player, with a league-record annual guaranteed salary compensation of $20.4 million, according to the MLS Players Assn.

The Top Five also includes Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne ($15.4 million), Chicago Fire's Xherdan Shaqiri ($8.15 million), LA Galaxy's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez ($7.44 million) and Toronto's Federico Bernardeschi ($6.3 million).

Inter Miami also tops MLS team salary rankings, with total guaranteed compensation of $39.419 million.

The Top Five also includes Toronto FC ($32.293 million), LA Galaxy ($25.039 million), LAFC ($20.841 million) and the Chicago Fire ($20.416 million).

The Botton Five includes Philadelphia Union ($13.291 million), New York Red Bulls ($11.331 million), St. Louis City ($11.187 million), CF Montreal ($10.92 million) and Orlando City ($9.643 million).

All data is as of Sept. 15, 2023.

October 18, 2023: Primo Entertainment and Moment Factory have unveiled the launch date for the interactive multimedia experience, “The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True,” beginning in Miami in April 2024 in The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami's Coconut Grove.

The Messi Experience follows Messi from childhood to his play with Inter Miami FC.

October 15, 2023: Inter Miami CF said today it would take a two-game trip to China in November in the club’s first international tour, “seeking to expand its reach in new territory and begin preparations for 2024.”

The team will play two Chinese Super League teams in friendly matches, first facing Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in Qingdao, China on Nov. 5 at the Qingdao Youth Football Stadium (50,000-capacity, then play Chengdu Rongcheng in Chengdu, China on Nov. 8 at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park (60,000 capacity).

Broadcast details and ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

“We’re very excited to continue to expand our club’s global reach, bringing our team to play in front of incredible fans across the globe,” Inter Miami chief business officer Xavier Asensi said via the team.

“This is a special opportunity to share the passion as we reach new audiences and put ourselves on display in new places, and we’re looking forward to beginning this adventure.”

October 13, 2023: Lionel Messi ranks No. 2 in the world among highest-paid soccer players, including salary and endorsements, according to Forbes.

Forbes Top 11 Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260m)

2. Lionel Messi ($135m)

3. Neymar ($112m)

4. Kylian Mbappé ($110m)

5. Karim Benzema ($106m)

6. Erling Haaland ($58m)

7. Mohamed Salah ($53m)

8. Sadio Mané ($52m)

9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39m)

10. Harry Kane ($36m)

11. Robert Lewandowski ($34m)

October 7, 2023: AP Sports: Lionel Messi’s first season in Major League Soccer will end without a trip to the playoffs following Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati tonight.

Messi entered in the 55th minute and went scoreless for the fourth straight league game since getting a goal in the 89th minute of his MLS debut. The defeat eliminated Miami from contention with two games remaining.

He had missed five of the team’s six previous games in all competitions because of a leg injury.

Messi likely played his last MLS match of the season after Miami’s elimination. He also has pending World Cup qualifying commitments with Argentina.

Messi will join Argentina for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on Oct. 12 and 17 respectively. Full story here.

October 4, 2023: ABC News Chicago: Soldier Field is hosting a long awaited MLS match-up Wednesday night, Chicago Fire versus Inter Miami CF. On the Miami team, World Cup champion Lionel Messi was absent from Miami's lineup at a sold-out Soldier Field.

Messi is injured, and hasn't played since Sept. 20 when he left a match against Toronto FC and has been listed as "day to day" since.

The Fire match quickly sold over 61,000 tickets, an all-time record for the team, and Soldier Field's upper decks were then opened for the match to allow for more fans to attend.

October 2, 2023: The first three episodes of "Messi Meets America,” a documentary about Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami CF, will premiere Oct. 11 on Apple TV+. Additional episodes of the six-part series will be viewable later in the season.

September 30, 2023: MLS: Lionel Messi sat out his third straight match here, which host Inter Miami tied with NYCFC 1-1.

And during the weather delay that pushed back kickoff by about an hour, a report broke on Twitter from a reporter named Caden DeLisa alleging an MRI had discovered a hamstring tear that was “likely” to rule Messi out for the remainder of the season.

Martino refuted the report in his postgame presser.

September 27, 2023: Lionel Messi sat out due to “muscle fatigue” as Inter Miami CF lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final, played in Inter Miami’s RV PNK Stadium.

September 20, 2023: ESPN: Lionel Messi was substituted due to muscle fatigue in the 37th minute of Inter Miami CF's 4-0 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday, only minutes after his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba had also left the field.

Miami coach Gerardo Martino said after the match that both Alba and Messi would be evaluated in the coming days, but that neither player would be available to play against Orlando City on Sunday (Sept. 24) so that they might be ready for the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo next Wednesday (Sept. 27).

Messi entered Wednesday having appeared in 11 matches for Miami, most of them in Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup competition. He had 11 goals and five assists in those first 11 appearances, including one goal with two assists in three MLS matches. Full story here.

September 16, 2023: Atlanta United FC defeated visiting Inter Miami 5-2 tonight in front of 70,000-plus people in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This was Miami’s first loss since Lionel Messi — who did not travel with the team due to “muscular fatigue” — joined the club (8-1-4).

September 12, 2023: Lionel Messi was not on the field for Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia. "He told me he wasn't feeling well," Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told ESPN Argentina. "It didn't make sense, it was going to be risky for him to come on in the second half, the high altitude is a difficult place. It didn't make sense."

September 7, 2023: Reuters Sports: Lionel Messi's second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot in front of 83,000 fans at the nearly full Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

• Messi Will Be Missing; New Stadium Build Begins
September 3, 2023: Highlights of Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over LAFC Sept. 3.

Messi assisted on two of the goals.

Following tonight’s game against host LAFC, Leo Messi will be missing from the Inter Miami roster for several weeks as he is among several players called up by defending FIFA Men’s World Cup champion Argentina, led by Messi, for 2026 World Cup qualifying games in September.

Argentina has games scheduled for Sept. 7 and Sept. 12.

Separately, Inter Miami CF said construction has started on Miami Freedom Park, a 131-acre development anchored by a new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium on the current site of the Melreese Golf Course, scheduled to open for the 2025 MLS season.

The team currently plays in AutoNation DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale.

Under his current two-and-a-half year contract, Messi will be with the team in 2025.

August 30, 2023: ESPN: Inter Miami CF extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games Wednesday in their first home Major League Soccer game since the arrival of Lionel Messi, but were held scoreless and dropped two crucial points in a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC.Messi finally had an off night — by his standards — and did not contribute with a goal or an assist for the first time in his Inter Miami era.

Full story here.

• Messi Scores, Miami Wins In MLS Debut
August 26, 2023: Lionel Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute in his first official MLS game, scored in the 89th minute and helped Inter Miami to a 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls before 26,276 people in Red Bull Arena — which when he scored sounded as if it was being played in DRV PNK Stadium based on the cheers and noise.

This was Messi’s ninth game for Miami, all victories, but seven others were part of the Leagues Cup, including the title game won by Miami, the eighth was a semi-final win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Messi has now scored 11 goals with three assists for Miami.

• Inter Miami Headed To U.S. Open Cup Final
August 23, 2023: Inter Miami CF defeats Cincinnati on penalty kicks (6-5) following 3-3 tie in semi-finals of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Miami next hosts Houston Dynamo in the finals Sept, 27 in DRV PNK Stadium (CBS Sports, Telemundo).

• Miami Plans Leagues Cup Celebration
August 20, 2023: Inter Miami CF has invited its fans, the “Heartbeat of the Club”, to a special ceremony where the team will present its 2023 Leagues Cup trophy in its next MLS home match, Aug. 30 in DRV PNK Stadium.

The team will host Nashville SC, which Miami defeated for the Leagues Cup title, in a game rescheduled from Aug. 19.

This will also be Leo Messi’s first MLS home game.

Miami travels to play Cincinnati Aug. 23 in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals, then is scheduled to play the New York Red Bulls in Red Bull Stadium on Aug. 26 in what will be Messi’s first official MLS game.

• Messi, Miami Claim Leagues Cup Championship
August 19, 2023: Lionel Messi scored in the 23rd minute — the only goal of the first half for Inter Miami CF — but Nashville SC scored in the second half of the Leagues Cup championship in Geodis Park tonight, with the match decided on penalty kicks. Messi scored the first for Miami, which outlasted home club Nashville 10-9 for the title.

Messi has now scored ten goals (with three assists) in the seven games he has played with Miami, all part of Leagues Cup.

• Miami Reaches Leagues Cup Final
August 16, 2023: With Lionel Messi scoring his ninth goal in his sixth game since joining Inter Miami CF, Miami defeated host Philadelphia Union, 4-1, Tuesday night (Aug.15) in one of the semi-final games of Leagues Cup play.

Miami now visits Nashville SC (which defeated Liga MX's CF Monterrey in the other semi-final) for the trophy on Aug. 19.

The victories also mean Miami and Nashville have secured spots in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

• Messi In U.S. The Focus Of Docuseries
August 15, 2023: Apple TV+ is planning a six-part docuseries focusing on Lionel Messi coming to the U.S. to play for MLS Inter Miami CF.

The currently untitled project, presented by Smuggler Entertainment, “will provide extensive access to Messi and his new team,” including his impact in Leagues Cup, U.S. Open and MLS matches.

According to Apple TV+, “After over 20 unforgettable and record-breaking years of excellence between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with the Argentina national football team, Messi recently made a landmark decision that forever changed the face of soccer in North America by joining Major League Soccer and Inter Miami CF.”

“I couldn’t be happier coming to Miami and joining such an amazing group of people and organization,” Apple TV+ quotes Messi. “I'm joining with the desire to compete, win and help the club continue to grow. I also think we're going to really enjoy ourselves, have a good time and that very special things are going to happen.”

The docuseries will feature “in-depth interviews with Messi, along with teammates, coaches, competitors, fans and commentators, (providing) a unique perspective on the game's biggest star and arguably the greatest player of all time.”

Release date is yet to be unveiled.

Smuggler Entertainment-has previously produced a documentary that chronicles Messi's career, including his seven Ballon d'Or wins to his 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina.

• Miami Reaches Leagues Cup Semifinals
August 11, 2023: Lionel Messi scored his eighth goal in five games for Inter Miami as part of a 4-0 win over Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals at home in DRV PNK Stadium with 20,368 in attendance.

Miami was already leading, 3-0, when Messi scored in the 86th minute.

Messi and Miami now face Philadelphia Union Aug. 15 in the Leagues Cup semifinals in the Union’s Subaru Park.

CF Monterrey plays Nashville SC in the other semifinal, also Aug. 15, for the right to advance to the Leagues Cup finals.

Miami is also part of the U.S. Soccer U.S. Open Cup and is scheduled to face Cincinnati on Aug. 23 n DRV PNK Stadium.

• MLS Opener Postponed, Telemundo Signs Deal
August 9, 2023: MLS said today that Inter Miami CF's match against Charlotte FC originally scheduled for Aug. 20 in AutoNation DRV PNK Stadium has been postponed to “a later date to be announced.”

The match would have been Lionel Messi’s first regular season MLS game as a member of Inter Miami. His U.S. games to date have been part of the Leagues Cup. Messi and Miami are also part of the USSF Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Messi’s first regular season MLS match is now projected to be Aug. 26, visiting the New York Red Bulls in Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ. Tickets for that game are already topping $1,000.

Inter Miami CF’s Leagues Cup quarterfinals match against Charlotte FC is scheduled for Aug. 11 in DRV PNK Stadium.

“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,” according to MLS.

The U.S. Open Cup semi-finals Aug. 23 will feature FC Cincinnati hosting Inter Miami CF and Houston Dynamo hosting Real Salt Lake.

The 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final is scheduled for Sept. 27.

Also thank Messi for another major media deal.

NBCU Telemundo today signed a deal with U.S. Soccer for exclusive live Spanish-language coverage of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s Semifinals and Final on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.

Live coverage of the tournament Semifinals Aug. 23 begins with FC Cincinnati hosting Inter Miami CF and Messi, followed by Houston Dynamo FC hosting Real Salt Lake.

The 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final, scheduled for Sept. 27, will broadcast live and stream on Peacock.

CBS Sports is the exclusive English language broadcast home of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.

• August 7, 2023: Fortune Magazine: Ares Management is investing an extra $75 million in Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club that’s riding high following the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami will use the money from U.S.-based Ares’s credit group to develop its proposed Miami Freedom Park stadium and fund other growth initiatives, according to a statement. Ares has now invested $225 million in Inter Miami since 2021.

“We are excited to upsize our strategic investment in the club,” Jim Miller, co-head of sports, media and entertainment strategies at Ares, said via the firm. “Our work together and the progress made since our initial investment has only reinforced our confidence in Inter Miami’s bright future.” Full story here.

• Messi Leads Miami To League Cup Quarters
August 6, 2023: Lionel Messi scored two goals to lead Inter Miami CF over FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup on Sunday (Aug. 6) in Frisco, Texas. The game ended 4-4 in regulation before Miami won on penalty kicks, including one from Messi.

The victory in the round of 16 sends Inter Miami into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals in Inter Miami’s AutoNation DRV PNK Stadium on Aug. 11 against the winner of tonight's game (Aug. 7) between Charlotte FC and Houston Dynamo.

Messi has now scored seven goals in four games and three assists since joining Inter Miami.

• Messi’s Inter Miami Open Cup Game Going Global
August 6, 2023: The U.S. Soccer Federation said the semifinals and final of the 108th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — U.S. Soccer's National Club Championship — would now be broadcast not just nationwide but around the world by more than 20 international broadcasters reaching 100-plus countries on five continents.

The international media rights deal was handled by global sports marketing agency SportFive.

However, USSF can also thank Lionel Messi for the activation, who recently joined Inter Miami, one of the four clubs in the semi-finals.

The semi-finals will feature FC Cincinnati hosting Inter Miami CF and Houston Dynamo hosting Real Salt Lake.

CBS Sports will continue as the exclusive English language broadcast home of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.

The semifinals on Aug. 23 will stream for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network, Paramount+ and on CBSSports.com.

The 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final, which is scheduled for Sept. 27, will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

In addition to live-match coverage, CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide in-depth analysis of the U.S. Open Cup across its live studio programming,

CBS Sports Golazo Network is available for free on connected TV and mobile devices through the CBS Sports App and Pluto TV.

The 2023 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn $300,000 in prize money and a berth in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup.

• Messi’s First Road Game With Inter Miami
August 6, 2023: Lionel Messi will play his first road game as a member of Inter Miami against FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 tonight (Aug. 6) in Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX (9:30 PM ET).

According to the Miami Herald, tickets for the elimination match sold out in 15 minutes when they went on sale to the general public Thursday morning after all the presale tickets — which started at $199 — were gone Wednesday night. Toyota Stadium’s capacity is 20,500,

As of Saturday, tickets were going for more than $700 on StubHub, and $1,000-plus on Vivid Seats and TicketMaster.

The winner of Sunday's match moves on to the quarterfinals and faces the winner of Houston Dynamo vs. Charlotte FC.

• August 6, 2023: FIFA has opened a 60K sq. ft. office in Coral Gables near Miami to prepare for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will host games.

The U.S. is also bidding to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The office puts FIFA within striking distance of Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami.