Lionel Messi's Debut Match With Inter Miami Could Cost Fans Up To $110K Per Ticket

Lionel Messi's first debut match in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami could cost fans up to $110,000 per ticket.

The sky-high cost of the tickets can be attributed to the soccer superstar's popularity among the fanbase and is expected to bring an energized audience to Friday's Leagues Cup. The price for Messi's first match with his new team is one of the most expensive ticket prices ever recorded in the history of an MLS team.

Lionel Messi MLS Tickets Cost Up To $110K

The costs for some seats for the match soared after Messi officially signed with the Major League Soccer team over the weekend. The deal between the soccer superstar and Inter Miami was roughly between $50 to $60 million per year.

Despite the massive upper-end prices of the tickets, other, much cheaper options are available for those who want to see Messi play without spending a fortune. The average ticket price for the game is $487, and some fans are willing to travel nearly 700 miles to watch Messi's debut match with Inter Miami against Mexican team Cruz Azul, as per WFLX.

The latest prices dwarf the costs of tickets during last year's League Cup Match between Inter Miami and FC Barcelona, which cost roughly half. The prices of the tickets for Messi's match on Aug. 20 against Charlotte also average $288, surging nearly 900% since early June after rumors that the soccer star was coming to the United States.

The 36-year-old soccer superstar can pull in absurd numbers for ticket prices as he is one of the most decorated athletes, winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or award seven times. He was also a member of the World Cup-winning Argentinian team last year.

Messi's deal with Inter Miami includes an option for part-ownership of the club as well as a portion of the revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV's MLS Season Pass streaming service.

On Sunday, during an unveiling event, Messi said he is "very excited" to be a member of Inter Miami. According to CNN, he added that he joined the team to compete, win, and help the club continue growing.

Soccer Superstar's Popularity

On top of the hype surrounding Messi's debut match with his new team, "Messi mania" goes far beyond just the field. Last week, Hard Rock Cafe unveiled the "Messi Chicken Sandwich," a crispy Milanese-style fried chicken breast topped with melted provolone now on sale at its hotels and restaurants.

During Messi's first public comments following the deal, he expressed his gratitude to Inter Miami for the club's reception and kindness since he arrived in the city. With the soccer superstar joining Inter Miami, he turned down the opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia, where he was offered a much higher financial compensation.

Additionally, Messi turned down the chance to return to Barcelona, where he signed at 13 years old, won every major trophy, and was planning to remain before moving to Paris-St. Germain in 2021, said the New York Times.