Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is all set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) after signing a new contract with Inter Miami, find out his expected debut, full debut schedule, how to buy tickets, prices, and more
Messi will join the MLS right after his current contract with PSG in the Ligue 1 expires this month.
Lionel Messi Inter Miami CF MLS debut match and date, tickets price, contract details, salary
Inter Miami ticket prices skyrocketed to $1500 from $34 after Messi news for his expected debut game in MLS. pic.twitter.com/G1l2YK9ZOz
— Goal.com (@GoalDOT) June 7, 2023
It's currently cheaper to go to Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Miami ($416) than Lionel Messi's potential Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul ($482).
Messi's arrival is a gamechanger for MLS 🚀
(h/t @brennanjp) pic.twitter.com/0oluT9Peds
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 7, 2023
According to reports, the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner will earn up to $100m a season at the David Beckham-owned franchise.
The Miami Herald reported that it would be a “complicated” deal valued between $125 million and $150 million over the length of the contract, which it estimates to be 2½ years in length, with an option year for 2026 and the report states it would include salary, bonuses and equity in the team. Both Apple (the MLS broadcast partner) and Adidas (one of the league’s biggest sponsors) were offering profit-sharing agreements on merchandising and subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass.
Messi revealed in an interview on Wednesday:
I have made the decision that I am going to Miami … a few things are needed, but well, we decided to continue my path there. After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the … United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day-to-day more”.
Lionel Messi expected MLS debut and tickets for first season game
As of now, Lionel Messi’s expected MLS debut for Inter Miami date is still uncertain. However, the demand for tickets have already skyrocketed ever since the news of his arrival.
Reports vary, but multiple outlets believe July 21 is his proposed debut, although “later in July, at the earliest” and “August” have been floated as well. and July 21 is significant because Inter Miami CF host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a tournament between teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
July 19 is also a date to watch, at least in a sense of a grand unveiling event: the 2023 MLS All-Star Game takes place that night at DC United’s Audi Field, with the MLS All-Star XI taking on English Premier League side Arsenal in the showpiece fixture.
According to reports, tickets for the Inter Miami vs New England match scheduled on June 10 will cost around $40 to $55. Meanwhile, the tickets for the Inter Miami vs LigaMX’s Cruz Azul match on July 12 will be $495.
Just recently, TicketSmarter CEO, Jeff Goodman was quoted as saying:
Soccer fans are extremely passionate. This is a huge acquisition for Inter Miami CF and really MLS as a whole. It elevates the league and the international interest in MLS across the globe.”
Inter Miami MLS schedule for June and July
Given below is Inter Miami’s schedule in the MLS throughout June and July:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| June 10 | New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami | Foxborough, MA (Gillette Stadium) |
| June 24 | Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami | Chester, PA (Subaru Park) |
| July 1 | Inter Miami vs. Austin FC | Fort Lauderdale, FL (DRV PNK Stadium) |
| July 4 | Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew | Fort Lauderdale, FL (DRV PNK Stadium) |
| July 8 | D.C. United vs. Inter Miami | Washington, DC (Audi Field) |
| July 15 | St. Louis City SC vs. Inter Miami | St. Louis, MO (Citypark) |
| July 21 | Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul | Fort Lauderdale, FL (DRV PNK Stadium) |
| July 25 | Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United | Fort Lauderdale, FL (DRV PNK Stadium) |