On November 10th, Inter Miami will celebrate Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or win with an exhibition match vs. NYCFC.
Appropriately named ‘Noche d’Or,’ the festivities will kick off at 6:00 PM EST, with the game starting two hours later at 8:00 PM. After failing to make the playoffs this year, Miami is using this friendly to kill two birds with one stone.
Not only will it be a night to celebrate Messi’s career achievements, but it will also be a way for the men in pink to keep fit over the long Major League Soccer off-season.
The Herons have been on the sidelines since the team’s October 21st season finale against Charlotte FC. Since then, the club has been training at Inter Miami’s facilities for the last two weeks.
This Friday’s game will be competitive.
NYCFC will make the game difficult. The New York-based side also missed out on the post-season and will hope to spoil Inter Miami’s night.
Messi’s legacy with Inter Miami
Regardless of the outcome, the game will be one for the history books.
Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer and immediately elevated the team tactically. The Herons outscored their opponents 22 to 11 on its way to winning the Leagues Cup title. Additionally, the 36-year-old’s Ballon d’Or win made him the first active MLS player to receive the award while playing in the league.
The celebration may seem over the top, but for Messi, his career accolades warrant the festivity.
As the team looks forward to 2024, Miami will want to continue the success they had in the summer. Winning the Leagues Cup was a significant achievement for the team, but also just the beginning. With Luis Suárez potentially joining the club this winter, head coach Tata Martino will have a strong squad to compete for the MLS Cup next year.
The Argentine adding another important trophy to his name would be a fitting way to top off his career.