Around 80 percent of the tickets sold for Inter Miami’s MLS clash against the Charlotte FC were reportedly purchased by fans hoping to see Lionel Messi in action. Instead, thousands of supporters arrived at the stadium only to learn that the Argentine superstar would not be playing.
According to reports surrounding the match involving Inter Miami CF, the club did not confirm Messi’s absence until roughly two hours before kickoff. The late announcement left many fans frustrated, particularly those who had paid premium prices to watch the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi’s presence has been a major driver of ticket demand across Major League Soccer since his arrival in the United States in 2023, with matches involving Inter Miami regularly selling out when the Argentine icon is expected to feature.
The delayed confirmation of his absence sparked criticism from supporters on social media, with some arguing that clubs should communicate earlier when star players are unlikely to appear. Others noted that many fans travel long distances specifically to see Messi, making last-minute announcements especially disappointing.
Inter Miami has not publicly detailed the reasons behind Messi’s absence from the match against Charlotte.