“I’m Rooting Against Him” – Lionel Messi’s Growing Fandom in US Helps Rival Fan Pay for Knee Surgery

The excitement surrounding Lionel Messi in the United States reached new peaks. While he continues to leave his new supporters in awe, he is also benefiting a few within society. One of his rival team supporters was able to cover the cost of medical bills thanks to the superstar’s influence. This is the story of a New Jersey-based fan who goes by the name Amanda Libre.

Libre is an ardent New York Red Bulls fan and frequently travels to witness her team’s matches. But this time she won’t be there as a usual supporter for the team’s upcoming home game against Inter Miami on August 27th. This is because the 35-year-old woman has sold her ticket for a very good reason.

Fandom of Lionel Messi benefits rival fan pay for knee surgery

Unfortunately, on May 1, Amanda hurt herself, thinking she had a torn meniscus, only to find out later that she actually had an ACL injury. But the medical bills were too expensive, and she didn’t have enough to cover the cost of the surgery that she’ll be getting on August 18. While insisting on being on crutches during match day, she thought of using the money to pay for her ACL surgery.

“I have season tickets for Red Bull games and I usually go to all of them but I noticed as soon as they even started talking about [Lionel] Messi signing for Inter Miami, the tickets for the Miami game started to go up like crazy,” Amanda explained to Mirror. “I’m just in the supporter’s section behind the goal, which is the cheapest ticket and some of them are on sale for like $700 but I just wanted to sell it.”

She sold the ticket for $505 to the platform, Ticket Master, and will receive $455. It was the exact amount she needed to pay the bills. When asked about not being able to see Messi in action, she insisted on having no regrets. “I’ve seen [ Lionel Messi ] play before when I saw him practice for a game between Argentina and Brazil. So I’m not too disappointed to miss the game – I will just watch it on the TV. I mean he’s not on my team and so I’m rooting against him!”

READ MORE: After Bringing Soccer Revolution in US, Lionel Messi’s Drastic Decision Might Upset 482,000,000 Fans

This isn’t the first time Libre has sold her ticket. During Barcelona’s friendly fixture against Red Bull, she sold her ticket for $400. Nevertheless, directly or indirectly, Messi continues to captivate the whole country with his influence.

La Pulga’s influence takes over America

Messi’s arrival in the United States has indeed been a blessing for the sport. The World Cup winner has seen a surge in his fandom thanks to his emphatic performances for Miami, scoring seven goals in just four matches. Be it the packed stadiums or his jerseys selling out, it is a testament to his influence in the country.

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Subsequently, he also brought life back into David Beckham’s soccer franchise. Be that as it may, it is just the beginning, as there are still three years of Messi magic that the American fans will likely get to witness.

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