Messi mania continues as Dallas-Inter Miami tickets sell-out in 18 minutes

There is no let-up to the Lionel Messi boom in the United States after FC Dallas confirmed that all tickets for Sunday’s Leagues Cup Round of 16 clash against Inter Miami sold out after just 18 minutes.

Sunday’s game will be Messi’s fourth for the Herons but his first match away from DRV PNK Stadium with the tie set to be staged in front of a capacity 20,500 crowd at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco (Dallas) with the kick-off time set to be confirmed over the weekend.

Messi has played three games with Inter Miami and been instrumental in his side recording three Leagues Cup victories. In the 2-1 win over Cruz Azul he came on for 37 minutes and scored a goal in added time with a trademark free kick. In the 4-0 win over Atlanta United he was a starter, scored a brace and came off 13 minutes from time. And this Wednesday, in the regional Florida derby against Orlando City in the Round of 32, the Rosario born striker completed 90 minutes, scored two goals again and delivered an accomplished display.

FC Dallas test

The Texans progressed to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Liga MX side Mazatlan and will offer a stern test to Messi’s side having won two of the last three meetings between both teams.

Dallas are coached by Spaniard Nico Estevez and have just had their squad bolstered with the acquisition of Basque central player Asier Illarramendi who joins the Texan outfit for the rest of the MLS season.

The winners of the tie will progress to the quarter-final stage and face the winners of Houston Dynamo/Charlotte-Cruz Azul.