Inter Miami could only manage a draw this weekend against New York City FC, even with Lionel Messi playing the entire match.
The 37-year-old attacker made his first trip to Yankee Stadium with New York City fans giving Messi a welcome that wouldn’t have looked out of place at a top-flight derby in Europe or South America.
With Messi enduring what might have been his worst game yet for Inter Miami, though, the Argentine international will want to quickly forget this weekend’s trip to the Big Apple, where the Herons conceded a 95th-minute equalizer.
And European soccer expert Julien Laurens was surprised by what Inter Miami and Messi failed to do at New York City.
Pundit surprised Inter Miami and Messi didn’t sell-out Yankee Stadium
Speaking on the Gab & Juls Show, the pundit highlighted how surprised he was that Inter Miami and Messi were unable to sell out Yankee Stadium for the first time in MLS history, with just over 40,000 fans attending the game despite the iconic baseball ground capable of holding 46,000 people.
Laurens said: “I was a bit surprised, maybe because he doesn’t look fully fit and he’s only come back from injury, he wasn’t good in the game, so people thought he might not play and that maybe had an impact on fans going. I thought he would sell-out everywhere they’re [Inter Miami] going, but clearly not.”
With Inter Miami and Messi breaking numerous attendance records across MLS in the last 12 months, it was quite a surprise that the Herons were unable to do just that at New York City this weekend despite the size of the vent.
However, like Laurens stated, Messi’s recent return from injury might have played a role, with some fans cautious that the Argentine might not have made an appearance having already played twice in a matter of days for Inter Miami.
Messi could break even more attendance records this season
From Sporting Kansas City to the New England Revolution, everyone and anybody seems to be desperate to watch Messi this season when fit for Inter Miami.
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder is an obvious pull given his immense stature in the world of soccer and his list of achievements making Messi arguably the greatest to ever play the sport.
Indeed, Inter Miami and Messi could break even more attendance records this season, and there’s a real chance that the Herons could have their eyes set on a huge venue for the MLS Cup final if the Florida franchise make the showpiece event at the end of the year.