Messi will play Saturday finale at Charlotte, more than 60,000 tickets have been sold
Inter Miami is out of the MLS playoff race and mired in a six-game winless streak; but Lionel Messi lifted team morale with his decision to travel with his teammates Friday afternoon for the season finale Saturday against Charlotte FC.
The news also delighted fans in Charlotte, North Carolina.
More than 60,000 tickets have been sold for the 6 p.m. game at Bank of America Stadium, and the number could approach 70,000 by game time as word gets around that Messi plans to play. Charlotte drew 74,479 for its inaugural game last year and had 69,000 for the season opener this year.
Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales confirmed Friday morning that Messi would travel to Charlotte after missing five of the past six games with an upper leg injury. The coaching staff was still deciding whether he would start or come off the bench, and how many minutes he would play.
“Having Lionel with the team is a motivation for everyone,” Morales said. “We know what he signifies for the sport, having him on our team, available to play and compete is always good. We are very happy that he is back at 100 percent.”
Messi played 90 minutes for Argentina and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against Peru on Tuesday night in a World Cup qualifier. He said in a sideline interview after that match that he planned to train upon returning home and play in the season finale against Charlotte.
“He came back in good shape, eager to play, like always, because playing is what he loves most,” Morales said. “We know what he brings everywhere he goes, an aura that inspires people. I saw images of the fans in Peru and the faces of the little kids in the tunnel with him going onto the field. We are privileged to have him here every day.”
Bank of America Stadium has artificial turf, and there was some discussion when Messi arrived in MLS in July that he may play only on natural grass, but that is not the case.
Asked if any players would be left off the game roster because of the playing surface, Morales said: “No. There is no problem. We know it’s artificial surface and there is no player who will not play due to the venue.”
Miami and Charlotte played Wednesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and tied 2-2 in a game that had been rescheduled. Nico Stefanelli and Robbie Robinson, a late-game sub, scored the two Miami goals. Midfielder Gregore returned from a foot injury after a seven-month layoff, and Jordi Alba came off the bench in the 60th minute after missing seven games with a hamstring pull.
“I had been out a long time, and the coach thought it best if I came off the bench,” Alba said Friday. “I felt good. It was a game we wanted to win, but individually it felt good to be back.”
Alba is also pleased to have his former FC Barcelona teammate and friend Messi back for the season finale. “The presence of Leo is very difficult for the opponent and for us, whatever minutes he plays is a guarantee for our team [to play better].”
Josef Martinez, Benjamin Cremaschi, Robert Taylor returned from national team duty and are available for the game Saturday. David Ruiz will miss the game as he traveled to Chile with the Honduran Under-23 national team for the Pan American Games, which began Friday.
With Inter Miami out of playoff contention in 14th place with a 9-17-7 record, coach Tata Martino and his staff will use Saturday’s game to evaluate players as they begin making decisions about the 2024 roster.
“It’s always this way at the end of a season, with contracts ending, rosters being renewed, especially with a new coaching staff,” Morales said. “Every player is used to this. One or two games won’t make that much of a difference, but it helps clear some things up.”
Charlotte is in 12th place at 9-11-13, tied with four teams at 40 points, and still clawing for one of the final playoff spots. Charlotte can clinch a spot with a win over Miami and help from CF Montreal, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire.