Messi To Make Inter Miami Debut Friday In Leagues Cup Opener

SOUTH FLORIDA — Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami CF debut Friday night in the team’s Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul of Mexico at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

The news that the Argentinian World Cup champion would suit up for the game sent fans into a frenzy as they clamored for tickets. Team officials said all tickets at the newly expanded stadium, about 21,000 have sold.

Thousands of tickets are still available for sale through secondary markets Friday morning. Ticket prices for the game have soared, with some going for more than $100,000, according to CBS News.

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"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," Messi said, according to a Leagues Cup news release. "This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home."

Messi decided earlier this month to make the move from Paris Saint-Germain to Miami, which is co-owned by another global soccer legend, David Beckham.

The 35-year-old player turned down a $425 million offer from a Saudi Arabian team, Al-Hilal, to make the move to Miami after a deal with FC Barcelona fell through, the Miami New Times reported.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star signed a 2-1/2 year contract with Inter Miami this past weekend, and the deal will pay him between $50 million and $60 million annually. That will likely work out to more than $1 million per match.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.