Lionel Messi has been influential for Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup, and they're favorites to go the distance and lift the trophy - but his debut in Major League Soccer has been pushed back.
The 2022 World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was scheduled to make his first appearance for Miami in MLS on August 20 against Charlotte FC, the team they're gearing up to face in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-finals on August 11.
However, that league debut has now been rescheduled for August 26 when Miami travels up the east cost to take on New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena instead.
The change comes as both sides have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, and one side will then go on to play in the semi-final (against either Philadelphia Union or Queretaro), followed by either the final or the third place game on August 19. That makes the August 20 MLS clash impossible to play due to the close timing of the games.
If Messi's Leagues Cup performances are any indication of the future (seven goals, one assist), he looks set put on a show in MLS in an attempt to bring the Herons back up the Eastern Conference table to make a late run for a playoff spot.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Why Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer debut has been postponed .
