Messi returns home to Miami

Lionel Messi is back in his favorite place. His neighbors in Miami have been eagerly awaiting his return, while tens of thousands of Argentine fans have descended on South Florida hoping to see the player they regard as their king on the stage he loves most: the World Cup.

Everything is on the line as the knockout stage begins. Argentina enters as the clear favorite against surprise package Cape Verde (kick off Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m. ET), a team few expected to reach this stage. But all eyes remain on the man who lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar. Three games into his tournament, Messi is still unbeaten.

Miami takes center stage

Miami has long been one of the tournament’s most attractive host cities, and there were two matches fans had circled from the start. The first was Colombia vs. Portugal, and the second was this Round of 32 showdown, with the possibility of Argentina playing there. Tickets sold out almost immediately, with only the allocations reserved for the participating teams remaining. The Argentine Football Association has already snapped up its share as Argentine fans continue to flood into Florida.

Argentina desperate to take over Miami

The buildup began the moment Argentina secured its place in Miami. Claudio Tapia made no secret of the federation’s efforts.

“We’ve done everything possible to secure as many tickets as we could.”

The federation searched every possible avenue, from unused allocations held by other federations to resale markets and tickets that became available after previously sold knockout scenarios failed to materialize.

Unlike many countries, ticket resale is legal and regulated in the United States, meaning prices have soared as demand has increased. Celebrations are expected to continue well into Wednesday night, but the festivities will officially begin at 1:00 p.m. on Collins Avenue, where Argentina’s fans will launch their traditional banderazo gathering.

The demand has been so overwhelming that organizers could have filled Miami Stadium three times over. The venue has a capacity of 64,478, while Argentina has averaged nearly 70,000 fans across its matches so far. On Thursday, even if Cape Verde provides the opposition, the stadium and much of the city will be painted in Argentina’s famous sky blue and white.

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