Inter Miami CF assistant coach Javier Morales has confirmed that Lionel Messi is expected to play in the upcoming match against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The game is anticipated to draw a record-breaking crowd of 70,000 spectators.
Messi recently completed a full 90 minutes in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series against CF Monterrey, marking the first time he has done so since March 7. Despite his efforts, Miami was eliminated from the competition after a 3-1 defeat (5-2 on aggregate) at the BBVA Stadium.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Morales stated, 'Messi will be available for tomorrow's game. We will assess his condition today, and if he is feeling well, he will be ready to take the field.' Morales expressed confidence in Messi's readiness, noting that the Argentine forward showed no signs of discomfort after the Monterrey match.
Inter Miami CF is currently positioned third in the Eastern Conference standings with 12 points from eight games, boasting a record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws. The team is gearing up for a crucial clash against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
The match is expected to draw a massive crowd at the Kansas City Chiefs' stadium, which has a capacity of 76,416. Limited tickets are still available for the event, which is set to surpass Sporting KC's current attendance record of 52,424 fans, established during a friendly match against Manchester United in 2010.
Sporting KC typically plays its home games at the 18,500-capacity Children's Mercy Park, making the upcoming fixture at Arrowhead Stadium a significant event for both teams and fans alike.
The first encounter between Sporting KC and Miami occurred on September 9, 2023, with Miami securing a 3-2 victory thanks to goals from Leonardo Campana and Facundo Farías. This weekend's match will mark only the second meeting between the two clubs from different conferences.
Morales emphasized the team's determination to secure a win, stating, 'The urgency is always to want to win. We want to go for every game.' With Messi's potential participation and the high stakes involved, Saturday's match promises to be an exciting and highly anticipated event for soccer fans.
