Lionel Messi could be a substitute for Inter Miami’s game against the New York Red Bulls, coach Tata Martino hints – despite tickets costing more than $20,000 for his MLS debut.
- Lionel Messi was due to make his MLS debut against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday
- It sparked a frenzy on ticket resale sites, with some seats costing $23,528.
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Lionel Messi could be rested for Inter Miami’s trip to the New York Red Bulls this weekend, despite the price of tickets for his Major League Soccer debut costing over $20,000.
After a remarkable first month on American soil, the Argentine star was due to make his MLS debut in Saturday night’s match at Red Bull Arena.
It sparked a frenzy on ticket resale sites, with fans whipping their way to the game until $23,528 – including taxes.
But Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has said his superstar is reaching a “physical limit”, hinting Messi may need a rest and may not start on Saturday.
“Leo and many other players are hitting a big physical limit and starting today we’ll start assessing that: how can I face at least the next three games,” Martino said after Wednesday’s win over Cincinnati. .
Lionel Messi could be a replacement for the trip to the New York Red Bulls, hinted Tata Martino (left)
The Argentine superstar is set to bow out of Major League Soccer on Saturday night.
This penalty shoot-out victory allowed Messi to play another 120 minutes. Since his debut on July 21, the 36-year-old has made eight appearances in 33 days, scoring 10 goals but also tallying almost 750 minutes of football.
“You also have to take into account the large number of games we have played in 45, 50 days,” added Martino.
Messi came on as a second-half substitute on his League Cup debut against Cruz Azul on July 21.
But he has started every game for Inter Miami since, missing just 12 minutes of action in seven matches.
Earlier this week, the most expensive tickets for Inter Miami’s trip to New York cost as much as $23,528.
He was originally due to make his MLS debut against Charlotte FC on August 20. But the match was postponed due to the commitments of both teams in the League Cup.
That means Saturday’s trip to New York took center stage, triggering a price hike on ticket resale sites.
Monday – almost a week before the game – the cheapest ticket (all costs included) on the website Game time costs the whopping sum of $610.
At the other end of the scale, the most expensive seats were priced at $17,554 each. After adding nearly $6,000 in taxes, the total cost is $23,528.
