Mad Scramble For Tickets To See Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Debut
Lionel Messi's announcement that he will be signing for Inter Miami this summer has created a mad scramble for tickets to what fans think will be his debut match.
But he will not be joining just yet.
The Argentina captain can only sign for Miami after his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30, while Major League Soccer's transfer window does not open until July 5.
Miami's first two games after July 5 are on the road - against DC United on July 8 and St Louis on July 15.
It is thought that Miami will likely want Messi to make his debut in a home match.
That logic seems to point to the Leagues Cup fixture against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21 as an ideal choice for Messi's first game.
Inter Miami and Mexico's Cruz Azul are due to face each other at the DRV PNK Stadium on July 21
IMAGO/Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire
Tickets for that game were being listed for as little as $29 prior to Messi's big announcement on Wednesday.
Two days later, the cheapest pair of tickets being sold on Ticketmaster, which is the official platform approved by the club, are currently available for $1,055 EACH.
This match may not even prove to be Messi's debut.
It is also possible that Miami could choose to move Messi's first game to a different venue to allow more fans to witness the historic event.
The club's DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale has a capacity of just 18,000, while the Hard Rock Stadium, home to NFL side Miami Dolphins, can hold as many as 65,000 supporters.
