Lionel Messi likely to make Inter Miami debut in July. Check date, key details

Lionel Messi is likely to make his debut with Inter Miami next month, according to reports. Managing owner of Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami Jorge Mas has revealed that Argentine legend and FIFA World Cup 2022 winner Messi will play his first match for Inter Miami on July 21, according to a report by Miami Herald.

On July 21, Inter Miami will play Mexico's Cruz Azul. It will be a Leagues Cup opening match and will be played at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi, who won Ballon d'Or record seven times, has agreed to a deal with Inter Miami but some aspects of the agreement are still being worked out, Jorge Mas was quoted as saying by Miami Herald.


Mas has said that security will be increased for Messi and other team members.

Officially, Messi cannot sign with Miami until his current deal with Paris Saint-Germain ends, according to a Reuters report.

A report by Sportico on Monday said Messi will earn $50 to $60 million per year from his Inter Miami contract -- before counting endorsement deals with Adidas and Apple. Mas told the Miami Herald and other outlets that "no rules are being changed to incorporate Messi on to Inter Miami's roster."

MLS is not subsidizing the contract, and Messi will not have the same option to buy an MLS team that David Beckham received when he moved to MLS in 2007, Sportico reported. That option turned into Inter Miami, of which Beckham is a co-owner.

Leagues Cup is the third edition of the summer competition between Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams and the first edition that will include every team in both leagues. Cruz Azul won the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2019.

The MLS season will pause for the Leagues Cup and resume in August. Miami's first MLS match after the tournament will be a home date with Charlotte FC on August 20.

FAQs

Q1. When is Lionel Messi's birthday?
A1. Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987. Messi is 35-year-old.

Q2. When will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami?
A2. Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami on July 21.