MLS
Inter Miami to step up security ahead of Lionel Messi debut
Messi is expected to make his first appearance at DRV PNK Stadium in the Leagues Cup match against Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
With the arrival of Lionel Messi at MLS side Inter Miami imminent, something which has given David Beckham and co food for the thought is security. DRV PNK Stadium has a capacity of only 18,000 and demand to watch Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain in action in the flesh will far outstrip supply.
Speaking to the Miami Herald, Beckham’s co-owner Jorge Mas addressed the issue: “Security will obviously be improved. Players will be transported by bus and arrive via a tunnel. All those security protocols are already set up both here and for away matches. And it’s not just for our games”.
Messi and Argentina’s pre-World Cup stay in Miami
Mas looked back to Messi and Argentina’s stay in Miami before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when they took on Honduras in a friendly and trained at the Herons’ training complex: “It will become an everyday thing, something that we’ve already seen and that I think was handled very well when Messi was here with Argentina before the World Cup”.
Mas recalled: “As you’ll remember, Argentina trained in Miami before flying to Doha. We had the opportunity to see ‘Messimania’ right on our doorstep every day in training. So we are very prepared. We’ve been preparing for this”. The main difference, of course, being that ‘Messimania’ will be every day rather than just for a few days and will intensify on matchdays.
When is Messi expected to debut for Inter Miami?
Everything points to Messi’s Inter Miami debut coming on Friday 21 July, when the Florida side take on Liga MX’s Cruz Azul in the newly-formed Leagues Cup. One month for DRV PNK Stadium to get ready for ‘Messimania’ like we’ve never seen it before as the Barcelona legend embarks on his new life in the United States.