REVEALED: St. Louis City SC warned fans against wearing Lionel Messi jerseys in the Supporters Section before Inter Miami lost 3-0 there
- Lionel Messi was not even present when his new team was defeated
- Other MLS clubs have previously turned away fans wearing other jerseys
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Lionel Messi has not yet played a game for Inter Miami, but the opponents are still thinking about him.
His new side visited St Louis City on Saturday – losing 3-0 – and a memo sent to fans beforehand revealed that the club warned fans in the Supporters’ Section not to wear Messi jerseys.
“NOTE: Opponent gear is not allowed in the supporters section,” message shared by supporters group St. Louligans read. It’s for CITY fans!
“For the July 15 game, this includes all Messi jerseys, shirts and equipment – Miami, Argentina, Barcelona, Paris-Saint Germain, Newell’s Old Boys and Grandioli.”
While opposing gear is usually banned outside of away fan sections in Europe, leagues such as the NFL, NBA and MLB often see opposing fans wear their team’s colors wherever they choose.
Inter Miami officially announced the signing of Lionel Messi on Saturday with a Twitter video
St. Louis warned fans before their Miami for wearing Messi jerseys in the supporters section
However, MLS has clearly deviated from that mindset, and other fan bases have documented incidents of away supporters being kicked out or forced to swap for wearing their colors in a supporters section.
Messi’s arrival in the MLS was officially confirmed on Saturday when Miami released a video to finally announce the move.
The number 10 signed a deal with the club through to the 2025 MLS season following his departure from PSG.
Messi, who joins the club as a Designated Player, said: “I am very much looking forward to starting this next step in my career at Inter Miami and in the United States.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build on this great project. The idea is to work together to achieve the goals set, and I can’t wait to help here in my new home.”
Messi will be unveiled to Miami fans on Sunday at the DRV PNK stadium – likely alongside former Barca teammate (and new Miami teammate) Sergio Busquets.
Tata Martino (center) will be happy with Messi, but he has yet to win a match
His debut for the club is scheduled for next Friday in the Leagues Cup vs. Cruz Azul, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in MLS action.
Miami’s next league game isn’t until August 20 vs. Charlotte F.C.
The club extended its winless streak to 11 games on Saturday in Missouri, and Messi, Busquets and Co. will have a huge task in getting the club into the postseason.
The Herons are last in the Eastern Conference with 18 points – 12 short of the final postseason spot.