In anticipation of the imminent arrival of superstar Lionel Messi, the co-owner of MLS team Inter Miami has disclosed that the club will ramp up its security measures.
The Argentinian legend is expected to join the Herons in early July, and the move has already sparked record-breaking excitement throughout the US.
The 35-year-old, who is widely regarded as the best athlete to ever play the sport, would relocate to the seaside city where he already has a home in order to perhaps complete his historic career there.
For context, following the announcement that the departing Paris Saint-Germain winger would be heading to MLS this summer, all tickets to see the World Cup winner in action at away grounds sold out within hours.
On top of this, the clamour for seats to see Messi in action for his new team has seen second hand tickets for his debut listed for as much as $20,701 (£16,300) on StubHub.
Clearly, ‘Messi Mania’ is now in full swing stateside, with the intrigue surrounding his signing pretty much unmatched across the history of the sport in the US.
Of course, world famous players have turned out for MLS stars in the past including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard and the standout David Beckham but it appears that the former Barcelona legend’s star power has captured the imaginations of the public at large.
Considering his rock star-like status, it is likely that Messi will attract crowds far beyond those with tickets to see him in action at locations across the US in the coming months and years.
Currently, the fledgling South Beach franchise he will join is playing at the temporary DRV PNK Stadium, with a new stadium on the way in 2025.
What Measures Will Inter Miami Take?
For now, however, some concerns have been raised about the suitability of the former 18,000 seater interim venue that Inter Miami currently calls home.
Herons goalkeeper Nick Marsman explained that he would be concerned about the security at the stadium as it stands ahead of the arrival of Messi.
He previously told ESPN: “I think our club is just not ready yet, we have a temporary stadium and people can just walk onto the pitch. For example, there are no fences.
“There is no security when we walk from the training ground to the stadium.”
However, club co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed that security will duly be ramped up ahead of the arrival of the superstar, with the billionaire businessman citing a previous example of Messi playing in Miami as proof that provisions can be made for the fanfare around him.
Speaking to the Miami Herald, Mas said: “Security will obviously be enhanced, players will be bussed in, going through a tunnel.
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“All of those security protocols are already prepared both for here and away and it’s not only for our games. It’s going to be an everyday occurrence and something we witnessed and I thought handled very well when (Messi) was here with Argentina before the World Cup.
“As you may recall, Argentina trained in Miami before they flew over to to Doha.
“We had an opportunity to see some of the Messi mania at our doors on an everyday basis during practice.
“So, we’re very prepared. We’ve been getting ready for this.”
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