Everything to know about the superstar’s visit to Texas
Lionel Messi, the 36-year-old soccer superstar (or megastar, global icon, GOAT, etc.), is coming to Frisco this weekend when FC Dallas hosts Inter Miami, his new MLS club.
Messi brings with him worldwide fame and just about every winner’s medal imaginable, from UEFA Champions League glory to the 2022 World Cup. The former Barcelona star has already electrified his home fans, scoring five times in three matches to tie for the tournament lead in goals with Monterey’s Germán Berterame. But he is hitting the road for the first time as an Inter Miami player.
And that first stop? Frisco’s Toyota Stadium.
Why is he here?
FC Dallas hosts Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium (20,500 capacity) on Sunday night. At the time of this writing, kickoff is still TBD — but expect it to be in the evening, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Messi signed with Inter Miami earlier this year after his contract expired with Paris Saint-Germain, France’s top club. Unlike other aging international soccer stars who have come to MLS after having lost a step or two, Messi is still very much in his prime, despite already two decades into his pro career.
The Leagues Cup is an inter-federation competition between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. MLS is on pause for about a month during the tournament, which is now in its knockout competition. Both Inter Miami and FCD advanced out of a three-team group and won their Round-of-32 match to set up this Round-of-16 clash. The winner of Sunday’s match will play either Charlotte or Houston.
Can I buy tickets?
Yes, you can buy them. But do you also plan to take out a second mortgage on your house?
Hyperbole, yes, but single-match tickets were priced as low as $199 (usually about $40) and sold out in a matter of minutes Thursday. Even before the general sale started Thursday morning, tickets were going for hundreds of dollars on the secondary markets.
As of Friday morning, tickets were listed for as low as $500 apiece, with most of them exceeding $800. Some ambitious resellers were asking for over $2,000 a seat, with front-row seats listed even higher.
How can I watch on TV?
MLS entered into a deal with Apple TV earlier this year, with every match (regular season, playoffs and Leagues Cup) available to those who purchased the MLS package. Users don’t need to be Apple TV+ subscribers to purchase the package, though it is cheaper.
The Leagues Cup match will be streamed via the MLS package on Apple TV+ for $12.99/month or $39 for Apple TV subscribers. Non-subscribers can pay $14.99/month or $49 for the rest of the year.
You can probably also find a restaurant or bar to settle in to watch the match. Some restaurants, including Chimichurri Argentinian Bistro & Bar, are featuring Messi-themed specials.
What about FC Dallas?
The buzz for FCD’s Sunday match is all about Messi. That’s understandable. But FCD has a few stars of its own, starting with forward Jesus Ferreira.
Ferreira, 22, leads FCD with 10 goals, three off the MLS lead. He’s one of the league’s rising stars and grew up in D-FW after moving to the U.S. from Colombia when he was 10. He was one of the bright spots of the United States’ Gold Cup run this summer, and his return to the club has helped it win back-to-back Leagues Cup matches.
Other FCD notables include Messi’s countrymen Alan Velasco and Facundo Quignón, as well as on-again, off-again USMNT players Sebastian Lletget and Paul Arriola.
Despite all the Messi mania, FCD made a nice signing of its own in the past week, bringing in former Real Madrid and Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi, a Champions League winner in his own right (though he isn’t expected to play Sunday as his paperwork is finalized).
All things Messi
What’s Messi’s favorite dish? This Dallas Argentinian restaurant will have it on special
Would you spend $800 to watch Lionel Messi? Superstar’s visit to Frisco divides fans
Miss out on Messi tickets? How to watch, stream Sunday’s Inter Miami-FC Dallas match on TV
Messi plan has Frisco, Toyota Stadium kicking off the day in the best way possible
FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt on Lionel Messi: ‘It’s like watching Michael Jordan’
Lionel Messi adds to Leagues Cup goal streak in Inter Miami’s win vs. Orlando City
How to buy tickets for Sunday’s FC Dallas-Inter Miami match to watch Lionel Messi
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