David Beckham Planning New Friendlies for Inter Miami & Lionel Messi With Almost 90,000 Fans in Attendance After Cancelling China Trip

The MLS season will start in February. The season marks the first full campaign for Lionel Messi, who debuted for Inter Miami in July. Clubs are already planning friendlies with players hoping to regain fitness before the season commences. Notably, Inter Miami was expected to tour China in November, but they canceled the plan abruptly. Instead, owner David Beckham has arranged plans for the club to visit an iconic stadium, considered amongst the best in the world.

Despite not taking part in the preseason, Lionel Messi was at his imperative best in the previous campaign. With 11 goals in 14 matches, Messi helped Inter Miami to their first-ever major trophy-The Leagues Cup. His performances in just half a season saw him claim the Inter Miami MVP award. Fans wait eagerly to witness the fully adapted Messi in the MLS, and they will get the first glimpse of the wizard in the friendly games. Thus, there is a change of plans from the initial ones posted on the clipboard!

Change of pre-season plans for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi

Inter Miami’s preseason opponents included Chinese teams Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng. However, the cancellation of the China tour forced a change of plans. Yet Beckham and his team seem to have made new arrangements already.

According to reports, Inter Miami is expected to face Flamengo, with the presidents of the clubs already in advanced negotiations. Most likely, the venue for the match is the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, situated at the University of Florida. The stadium has a capacity of 88,548, making it one of the biggest in the world.

Yet, there is another notable story in Inter Miami’s preseason schedule. There have been reports suggesting that Inter Miami will be squaring off against Newell’s Old Boys. Newell’s Old Boys happens to be the childhood club of Messi, where he played before moving to Barcelona.

Could it be a tribute to Lionel Messi on behalf of both clubs? While the plans are yet to be confirmed, Messi looks like a man on a mission for the next season. 

Read More: Lionel Messi Becomes 2nd Argentine & 4th Player to be Named Inter Miami’s MVP Despite Playing For 3 Months

Messi locks on his targets for the upcoming campaign

Friday night saw Inter Miami face off against New York City FC in an exhibition match. The agenda was to celebrate an unprecedented 8th Ballon d’Or for the little magician. While appreciating the adulation, Messi had words of encouragement for the fans.

He said, “I have no doubt … that next year will be much better,” Messi said. “We will continue enjoying and try to win more titles, and I hope that you are with me“. It looks like Messi has set his sights on the MLS trophy.

Do you think Lionel Messi can inspire Inter Miami to their first MLS title? Let us know in the comments below.

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