MLS
“Noche d’Or”: how are Inter Miami planning to celebrate Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or win?
The Argentina captain won the award for the eighth time and will be honoured by The Herons at DRV PNK Stadium.
Inter Miami will round off 2023 by playing one more match, a friendly against New York City FC, in which they will honour former Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who won his eighth Ballon d’Or ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and PSG attacker Kylian Mbappé on Monday.
Inter Miami confirm “Noche d’Or” to celebrate Messi
The Herons confirmed that “Noche d’Or” would take place on Friday 10 November at DRV PNK Stadium, with celebrating the Argentina captain’s latest award very much top priority. Messi will, of course, bring his latest trophy along with him, address his adoring fans and then take to the field against NYCFC, which will help keep him sharp ahead of his country’s World Cup 2026 qualification games against Uruguay and Brazil.
The match has been scheduled largely as a result of the cancelation of a mini tour of China, which had been due to see Inter Miami play two friendly games against lower-league opposition.
“Noche d’Or” program
Pregame fireworks, speeches and golden carpet
Remember the fanfare around Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup in July? According to a statement put out by the club’s communications team, this is expected to be a similar “night of festivities,” on which “the party will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by kickoff of the match at 8:00 p.m. ET.”
Fans will be able to buy “specialty food and beverage options,” different to what is normally on offer at regular MLS matches.
The pregame presentation will feature golden fireworks as a tribute to Inter Miami’s golden boy (well, man), who will make his way onto the field on a golden carpet (yes, really).
Messi’s Miami vs NYCFC to end 2023
After presenting the Ballon d’Or trophy to the fans, as well joining Herons co-owner Jorge Mas and MLS commissioner Don Garber in giving speeches, Messi and Co will take on NYCFC, who also failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Floridians will then have some down time before they start preparing for the MLS 2024 season, which will likely get underway in February.
Herons to host postgame BRESH party
Once the match is over, Inter Miami will round off “Noche d’Or” by hosting a BRESH party (the most popular Latin American party worldwide) at XBTO NW Club.