MLS side Inter Miami is set to play against New York City this Friday in a celebratory friendly. The David Beckham-owned franchise has organized the game to honor club superstar Lionel Messi, who won his record 8th Ballon d’Or last month. However, while La Pulga is available for the game, he might not be in action for the entire 90 minutes.

The club issued an official statement last Friday announcing Noche d’Or to celebrate Messi’s win. The event will see Messi present his coveted Ballon d’Or title in front of the fans at the DRV PNK Stadium. Following the early festive, Miami will then take on fellow MLS side NY City FC in a club friendly. Yet, there is a catch to his appearance! 

Lionel Messi is unlikely to play for 90 minutes against New York

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will be in action in front of the Miami fans, yet again this season. Despite being knocked out of the regular competition, the team has announced a friendly to celebrate La Pulga’s 8th Ballon d’Or win.

However, according to head coach Tata Martino, the player might not play for the entire game. Martino stated, “Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino says Messi is healthy and will play in Friday’s friendly vs. New York City FC — which is to celebrate the star attacker, of course — but that Messi may not play the entire match.”

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While there has been no official reasoning behind Messi’s absence, the team wants to keep him fresh for some bigger friendlies this season. Inter Miami planned to tour China this month but had to cancel it due to last-minute changes. However, the team has decided to pay tribute to Messi after his Ballon d’Or win, announcing the Noche d’Or.

Inter Miami set to host Noche d’Or

The David Beckham-owned club quickly displaced their canceled tour to China as they announced the Noche d’Or to honor Lionel Messi in front of the home fans this Friday. The club took to their official website to issue a statement for the fans attending the event.

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The club statement read, “Inter Miami CF invites fans to be part of history at the Noche d’Or, a first-ever event in MLS history at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, Nov. 10; Lionel Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or will be presented to fans before a night of festivities featuring a friendly match against New York City FC! The party will begin at 6 p.m. ET, followed by kickoff of the match at 8 p.m. ET.”

Inter Miami fans will be excited to witness their club’s superstar take to the field. Lionel Messi made history last month, becoming the first active MLS player to win the Ballon d’Or. It could be an enormous boost for the sport across the country, as MLS hopes to attract more stars in the coming years.

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