US OPEN CUP
FC Cincinnati players do battle for Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt
Lionel Messi will come up against two Argentine rivals in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Luciano Acosta and Álvaro Barreal will get the chance to play against their country’s captain.
After winning the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is hoping to book a place in a second final since his move to the United States. On Wednesday, Tata Martino’s Miami side will face FC Cincinnati in the semifinals of the US Open Cup.
Messi will come up against two Argentine rivals in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Luciano Acosta and Álvaro Barreal will get the chance to play against their country’s current leader and captain.
“Everyone was happy with Messi’s arrival in the league, it revolutionized everything. It’s very difficult to face him but we’re prepared, we’re going to go out and try to put in a great performance,” Barreal told ESPN.
“Leo is Leo, at any moment he can unlock your defence. The main thing we have to have is concentration,” Barreal added. The 23-year-old from Buenos Aires will play his 100th game for Cincinnati if he features against the Leagues Cup champions.
“The games, the tickets to see Messi, he revolutionized everything... It’s not the same as going to see another game.
Battle for Messi’s shirt
When asked about the battle with his team-mate Luciano Acosta to get Messi’s shirt, he said: “If I have the chance, I’ll ask him [Messi] too. It’s a dream for me, He’s an idol. He’s the captain, so we’re going to respect him, but obviously, I’m going to ask him for it. We’ll see who takes it!”
Acosta the key man for Cincinnati
Acosta is the captain, number 10 and key man for Cincinnati since arriving at the club in 2021. This year he has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 30 games. He is also the second-highest scorer in MLS this season, only behind the German Hany Mukhtar.
Sending Messi a message
Acosta has already discussed getting his hands on Messi’s shirt on Wednesday. “He has two, one for the first half and one for the second half. In the tunnel, I’m going to ask him for it. I haven’t spoken to him yet but I’m going to send a little message to see if I can guarantee it. It would be the first shirt of his that I’ll have,” he said.
Praise for Messi
The former Boca player, 29, was full of praise for Messi ahead of the clash. “They have the No 10 that makes the impossible possible. We are first in the league, I think it will be a great semifinal. Nobody wants to miss this game... A lot of people have called me to ask me for tickets.”
When is FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami?
The match between FC Cincinnati and the Herons will take place on Wednesday, August 23 (7:00 p.m. ET) at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
The winner of the match will face the winner of Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake in the final.