CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — One of the most well-known athletes in the world, soccer star Lionel Messi, and his Inter Miami team are coming to town for a showdown against the Philadelphia Union Tuesday night.
The 7 p.m. match is part of the semifinals of the Leagues Cup. The Union’s 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Querétaro FC at Subaru Park on Friday punched Messi’s ticket to Philadelphia.
Inter Miami defeated Charlotte FC 4-0 the same night.
“We have an opportunity here in Subaru Park to play against the greatest player in the history of our sport,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said in a news conference on Monday. “The Michael Jordan, if you will, of our sport that’s still playing in his prime and dominating games.”
Messi, who has long dominated the world stage with Barcelona, is doing so for his new team with five goals in eight games in Leagues Cup play. The highly decorated World Cup and Olympic gold-winning superstar signed with Inter Miami in July. The deal is reportedly for $50 million to $60 million a year.
Tickets have been tough to come by. Many sold fast since they opened to the public over the weekend. As of Tuesday morning, the cheapest ticket available through the Union’s website is $706 for club level. Standing-room tickets in the secondary market were in the $200 range.
“Never in my life would I think that literally the hottest ticket of the summer would be, maybe outside of Taylor Swift,” said Curtin, “would be in Chester with the Philadelphia Union playing Lionel Messi.”
Curtin said the number of ticket requests that he personally received is probably over 250 — some from people “I haven’t talked to in 20 years,” he said.
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For fans who are attending, the lots at Subaru Park open at 2 p.m. Union Yards opens at 4 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m.
“We need to hear you guys be as loud as possible,” Union goaltender Andre Blake said on Tuesday, referencing Philly fans. “We’re gonna do our best to keep you guys in the game and we’re gonna feed off your guys’ energy, so we’re looking forward to it.”