Lionel Messi ‘Will NOT start for Inter Miami tonight and is expected to play around 30 minutes off the bench’, despite fans shelling out THOUSANDS

Lionel Messi will not be in the Inter Miami starting lineup tonight and is instead expected to play the last 30 minutes of the game to make his debut, according to reports.

There has been much fanfare surrounding the arrival of Argentina’s World Cup-winning superstar, with fans shelling out thousands of dollars for a seat at the stadium, with one even listing for $110,000 earlier in the week.

But those who have shelled out big bucks to be inside the DRV-PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale may be a bit upset by the latest reports that Messi will not start against Cruz Azul in the MLS League Cup.

Athletic reports that Messi will be named among the substitutes on Friday night, with manager Tata Martino planning to bring him in in the second half for the last 30 minutes of the game.

Sergio Busquets, for his part, is also expected to participate, but Jordi Alba, whose signing was announced on Thursday, has yet to land in Miami after becoming a father for the third time earlier in the week.

Messi took part in his first training session with the team on Tuesday, two days after his dazzling performance in front of a packed house at the team’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the same venue as tonight’s game.

More to follow.