According to the American press, Atlanta United Club sold more than 65,000 tickets out of a total of more than 67,000 seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to welcome Messi and Inter Miami in the second match in the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs.
In the first match in the first round of the MLS Cup play-off – the American professional soccer tournament, Messi and Inter Miami won against Atlanta United with a score of 2-1 at Chase’s home field, October 26. The two teams will play the second match in the “3 match” series in this round at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta City at 6:00 a.m. on November 3.
Lionel Messi was once again in action for Inter Miami last night as the Argentine international made a 30-minute cameo from the bench.
Having played the full 90 against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, the Herons made the sensible decision to rest Messi initially at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the 37-year-old entered the field just past the hour mark.
With Messi having chances to extend Inter Miami’s lead, the former FC Barcelona star will be left frustrated with his performance as Atlanta were able to score a late equalizer to see the points shared in Georgia.
Yet despite playing away, Atlanta fans still gave an incredible reaction to when Messi came on for Inter Miami.
As reported by the Miami Herald, the Mercedes-Benz crowd ‘went wild’ when Messi was brought onto the pitch 61 minutes in, with thousands of fans raising their phones to take pictures of the Inter Miami star as he took his first steps on Five Stripes soil.
Given Messi’s immense profile in the world of sport, it’s no real surprise that Atlanta fans went crazy when the Greatest of all Time entered the match last night, with the Argentine playing a handful of MLS away games this year.
Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is also one of the biggest stadiums in America, with 68,000 fans in attendance last night as supporters likely came to get a glimpse of Messi, who after three months is finally back in action for the Herons.
And although the Inter Miami star was unable to leave his mark on the game, the fact that supporters got to see Messi is something every fan will take home with them for the rest of their lives, with the forward simply the best to ever play the game.
Messi will want to play every remaining game this season
Having missed so much soccer this year, Messi will be motivated to make up for lost time this season, with the Argentine likely to feature in every remaining game if his body will allow it.
An away trip to New York City FC is next up for Messi with the attacker set to play in the Big Apple for the first time in his MLS career, a game where the Argentine could add some more goals and assists to his tally for the season.
And with Messi looking sharp against Atlanta, there’s a good chance that the attacker could start for Inter Miami in New York, with the 37-year-old a player who wants to play no matter what.
