Messi or No Messi, Chicago Fire promise an epic night to remember

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi 's presence at Soldier Field for the Major League Soccer (MLS) match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami remains uncertain. To ensure an exciting experience for fans, the Chicago Fire is offering an incentive to attendees, regardless of whether Messi plays or not. The Fire is providing a USD 250 account credit "toward new memberships for the 2024 season - or a USD 50 account credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit – to all single-game ticket buyers who attend our match vs Inter Miami, regardless of which players are able to make an appearance on the pitch." Acknowledging the anticipation surrounding Messi's potential appearance, the Fire said in a news release, "While we don't yet know the official status of Lionel Messi's availability for our match tomorrow, as there's never a guarantee that an athlete will play on any given night due to several factors, we understand that many of our fans may be disappointed if they don't get the chance to see him play." The Fire is anticipating a record-setting crowd at Soldier Field, potentially surpassing its listed record of 41,000 set in 1997. This season, the team has averaged around 14,000 fans for matches at Soldier Field. Messi's recent availability has been inconsistent due to health concerns. He has missed several matches for Inter Miami, and his playing status has been listed as day-to-day. Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino did not provide a specific timetable for Messi's return, but he denied reports stating that Messi has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Inter Miami currently ranks 13th in the Eastern Conference, still in contention for a playoff spot but facing challenges. A loss to the Chicago Fire would impact their postseason hopes. Following the match in Chicago, Inter Miami has three more MLS games remaining to secure a playoff berth. Messi has been a sensation in MLS, with 11 goals in 12 matches for Inter Miami. The team's performance when he plays has been outstanding, with an 8-0-4 record. Messi's arrival has also made an impact on jersey sales, with his jersey becoming the best-selling in the league in 2023. As for the Chicago Fire, they are currently tied in points with Montreal for the ninth position in the Eastern Conference, with a critical match on Wednesday to bolster their playoff aspirations. ( With AP inputs)