Messi sets new record in Canada, Inter Miami makes room for De Bruyne and Di Maria

Messi fever spreads to Canada

Messi has just helped two MLS clubs, Chicago Fire FC and Columbus Crew, profit handsomely by selling out their large-capacity stadiums, Soldier Field and Huntington Bank Field, for their recent games against Inter Miami. Both teams attracted record attendances in the club’s history, with 62,358 and 60,614 viewers respectively. It’s all thanks to the Messi effect.

Messi's appeal helps MLS clubs continuously break viewership records

Photo: Reuters

The next match, the 37-year-old Argentine star and his teammates arrived at Vancouver International Airport (Canada) on April 24, to join Inter Miami in preparing for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final against the home team Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 9:30 a.m. on April 25 (Vietnam time). Immediately, Messi fever appeared here again.

Tickets for Inter Miami's match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the 54,500-seat BC Place stadium sold out shortly after news broke that Messi and his teammates were flying to Canada, according to CBC Sports and Sports Illustrated journalist Ben Steiner.

"Inter Miami has brought its strongest squad to Vancouver, with Messi and Suarez both present. Midfielder Federico Redondo has also recovered from injury and is accompanying the team. Vancouver Whitecaps FC will also have a few players returning from injury. This match promises to be very dramatic, as both teams have set the highest goals for their ambitions to reach the final," added Ben Steiner.

Previously, Vancouver Whitecaps FC increased ticket prices for the match against Inter Miami by 10 times compared to normal, even though they were not sure Messi would come. Tickets were sold by the Canadian team to fans at the lowest price from 152 USD (about 3.9 million VND) to 650 USD (16.7 million VND). Ticket sales opened on April 12, about 2 weeks before the match (April 25).

According to online ticketing site Ticketmaster, Vancouver Whitecaps FC sold more than 50% of BC Place’s capacity last week. Many fans are still waiting for news on whether Messi will come to Canada before deciding to buy tickets because the prices are too high.

In the last two matches, when Messi played the full 90 minutes in Inter Miami's away matches against Chicago Fire FC (0-0 draw) and Columbus Crew (1-0 win), fans in Canada no longer hesitated to buy all the remaining tickets.

Messi continues to cause football fever in Canada

Photo: Reuters

BC Place is sure to be packed when Vancouver Whitecaps FC take on Inter Miami, marking the third consecutive time Messi has helped rival clubs sell out their away games at huge stadiums. It will also set a new record for North American football, according to US media.

Inter Miami make room for De Bruyne, Di Maria

The team, chaired and co-owned by David Beckham, has officially parted ways with 30-year-old Finnish midfielder Robert Taylor after four seasons, to recoup a future transfer budget of nearly $1 million.

Robert Taylor has moved to Austin FC, while another attacking midfielder, Julian Gressel, will leave Inter Miami for a new club just before the MLS transfer window closes on April 25.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca , Inter Miami is making room to welcome two big stars this summer, midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and veteran striker Angel Di Maria, when the two players' contracts with Man City and Benfica clubs expire on June 30. Inter Miami is in contact with De Bruyne and Di Maria to complete the deals.

In the immediate future, if agreements are reached, De Bruyne and Di Maria will play for Inter Miami alongside Messi, Busquets, Jordi Alba and Suarez at the FIFA Club World Cup (in June), before making permanent transfers from July 24, when the MLS mid-season transfer market reopens, Marca added.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-lap-ky-luc-moi-tai-canada-inter-miami-de-cho-cho-de-bruyne-va-di-maria-185250424105943597.htm