More than 62,000 fans came to watch Messi at the MLS game between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, setting an attendance record for the home side.
Chicago Fire faced Inter Miami on Sunday at the club’s Soldier Field stadium, in a game that ultimately ended 0-0. But numerous fans came to watch Lionel Messi, leading to an all-time record of 62,358 spectators for the home side.
The Argentinian has made an incredible impact on the MLS ever since he moved to Inter Miami in July 2023, with fans trooping to games just to watch the iconic footballer.
“In the summer, Messi will have been here for two years,” said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, “and I think he’s changing how the world sees MLS in one way or another.
“There’s no doubt about that. In the end, we’re talking about a player who’s capable of achieving all of that, of giving maximum visibility to a league like this.
“We saw it today, and it’s one of the many examples of everything he generates. The people came to see him, that’s the reality.”
Chicago Fire are not the only club that have seen ticket demand explode for a fixture against Messi’s Inter Miami. Clubs like New England Revolution and Sporting KC have also had their attendance record broken.
Indeed, according to ESPN, clubs are now considering moving their fixtures against Inter Miami to bigger stadiums to be able to contain the number of spectators.
The highest attendance record for an MLS game is 82,110, which was reached in July 2023 during a game between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl stadium. MLS could see that record broken in the near future.
Asked what he would say to Messi in relation to the role he continues to play in football, Mascherano said: “Thank you. Thank you for making us enjoy ourselves and for continuing to compete the way you do.”
