Messi's MLS debut game tickets to cost as much as Rs 90 lakh
Ever since Messi's move to America, he just can't stop making headlines. As Messi's American chapter is all set to begin, it's going to start with quite an expensive bang, as La Pulga's MLS debut match tickets are marked at a sky-high price, and some fans are calling it the "Messi effect" in action.
What?
Messi is all set to face his new challenge in America with his new club, Inter Miami, on Friday (July 21), when the team will be playing their League Cup fixture against Cruz Azul. Ever since Inter Miami signed Messi, the club's current President and co-owner, David Beckham, has stated that this signing will lead the club into a new chapter and mark a new era for Major League Soccer (MLS).
But for the fans, this new chapter comes with a hefty price tag.
According to a report by CNN, Messi's debut match tickets are going to cost $11,000 (Rs 90 lakh); at least, that's what Vivid Seats, a ticket reselling website, claims. This will make La Pulga's debut match tickets the highest-priced ever recorded in the MLS.
The price of a ticket to the Cruz Azul match averages at $487, roughly double the price of tickets for Inter Miami's friendly match against Barcelona during the previous summer.
Moreover, the demand for his debut in the MLS against Charlotte FC on August 21 is steadily increasing, and tickets for this particular game are currently being sold for around $288.
The weight a player carries
Although the price to watch Messi's new beginning might be humongous, this is not the first time that the world of football has witnessed massive ticket prices to see star players on the field.
Ronaldo vs PSG
The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi is the biggest phenomenon in the world of football, and fans are always reluctant to break their banks for a chance to see both superstars playing against each other.
Ronaldo's debut in the Middle East, not in the colors of Al Nassr but for Riyadh XI, a special all-stars team with players from both Saudi Pro League giants, Al Nassr and Al Hilal, saw ticket prices soar.
Mushref al-Ghamdi, a Saudi-based real estate tycoon, reportedly splurged £2.2m in an auction to secure a VIP ticket for the game, granting him the exclusive opportunity to meet two megastars.
Ibrahimovic MLS away debut
Though this is the first time MLS has seen ticket prices skyrocket to this extent, a preceding example in America lies with the Swedish Lion, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's initial MLS away journey with LA Galaxy resulted in a twofold surge in ticket sales compared to the original price in Chicago. The Fire's Saturday afternoon match against the LA Galaxy completely sold out during the same week.
Leo's American journey has already started making headlines even before his debut match, and it's clear that his debut day will surely generate some fresh ones. One thing is for sure, Messi's move is indeed taking the football culture in America to a new era.