Lionel Messi ‘WILL NOT start for Inter Miami tonight and expected to play about 30 minutes off the bench’ – despite fans spending THOUSANDS

Lionel Messi will not be in the starting line-up for Inter Miami tonight and is instead expected to play the last 30 minutes of the match to make his debut, reports said.

There has been much fanfare surrounding the arrival of Argentina’s World Cup-winning superstar, with fans shelling out thousands of dollars for a stadium seat – and one was even listed for an eye-watering $110,000 earlier this week.

But those who spent a lot of money to be at the DRV-PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale may feel a little saddened by the latest reports that Messi will not start against Cruz Azul in the MLS Leagues Cup.

The Athletic reports that Messi will be named among the substitutes on Friday night, with coach Tata Martino planning to use him in the second half for the last 30 minutes of the game.

Sergio Busquets, meanwhile, is also expected, but Jordi Alba – whose signing was announced on Thursday – has yet to arrive in Miami after becoming a father for the third time earlier this week.

Messi took part in his first training session with the team on Tuesday, two days after his glitzy reveal in front of a packed house at the team’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale – the same venue as tonight’s game.

More to follow.