By Joiner Martinez
Jul 19, 2024, 11:41 PM EDT
Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire said Friday it will compensate fans who purchase a ticket for its August game against Inter Miami if Lionel Messi is unavailable.
The Argentine star is out indefinitely due to the ligament injury in his right ankle that he suffered last Sunday in the Copa América final.
Still, the Chicago Fire said Friday that they expect Messi to be back for their matchup on Aug. 31.
The team led by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri is confident that Inter’s visit will once again fill the 62,000 seats at Soldier Field and, to reassure fans, has announced a series of “guaranteed” compensations in case Messi is absent.
If that happens, all fans who purchase a ticket for that game from now on will receive $250 off two or more new Chicago Fire tickets for this season.
Fans who have already purchased tickets to the game, including season ticket holders, will be able to request two complimentary tickets to the Oct. 19 home game against Nashville.
The match against Inter Miami will be accompanied by a special show that will include a performance by singer Jason Derulo.
Messi, the undisputed star of the MLS since his arrival a year ago, already missed last October’s duel between Inter and the Fire in Chicago, when the home team won 4-1.
Inter Miami’s away games continue to generate huge expectations across the United States and Canada, which has sometimes translated into frustration when Messi has not been available.
Last May, the Argentine captain was ruled out of a trip to Vancouver due to rest, causing enormous anger among Whitecaps fans, who had sold out the 55,000-seat stadium.
Keep reading:
“He will be evaluated week by week”: Tata Martino gave an update on Messi’s injury
“It was because of him”: Rodrigo De Paul confessed that Messi’s crying was an inspiration in the Copa America final
Messi will wear green: Inter Miami presented its new jersey in tribute to the Miami Dolphins