Lionel Messi: Inter Miami star BENCHED for NY Red Bulls game despite fans forking out over $20,000 on tickets for his potential MLS debut – MyCyberBase

Lionel Messi started on the bench for Inter Miami against New York Red Bulls on Saturday night – meaning his long-awaited MLS debut came as a substitute.

Messi has got off to a blistering start in the States, scoring 10 goals in his first eight matches for Miami and lifting the Leagues Cup in the process.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain also inspired them to the US Open Cup final this week, which Inter will contest next month against Houston Dynamo.

All eight of his appearances so far have come in cup competitions, meaning there is plenty of anticipation for his debut in MLS.

So much so, in fact, that some fans have forked out more than $20,000 to get their hands on tickets for Miami’s league match at the Red Bulls on Saturday night.

Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Inter Miami against New York Red Bulls on Saturday

All eight of Messi’s Miami appearances so far have come in the Leagues Cup and US Open Cup

Inter boss Tata Martino (right) has therefore given his star man a much-needed rest

Yet unfortunately for the fans in question, Messi was not be involved from the start of the game at Red Bull Arena after being named as a substitute.

Inter boss Tata Martino hinted on Friday that his star man could be afforded a rest this weekend after playing eight games in the space of six weeks since arriving at the club.

Speaking after their midweek win over Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal, Martino said: ‘Leo and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from today we will start to evaluate this – how do I face at least the next three games.

‘You also have to take into account the large number of games that we played in 45, 50 days.’

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets also started Saturday night’s match on the bench. 

However, the New Jersey finally got to witness Messi’s highly-anticipated MLS bow as he came on in the 60th minute. 

Their patience was rewarded as the Argentine found the back of the net in the 89th minute to cap off his dazzling debut with a goal.  

After a remarkable first month on US soil, Messi was slated to make his MLS bow at Red Bull Arena.

That sparked a frenzy on ticket resale websites, with fans flogging their seat at the game for up to $23,528 – including taxes. 

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old will only play a part in the game for a reduced amount of time after being rested by Martino – if he comes off the bench at all.

Given Miami sits rock bottom of the Eastern Conference, Martino may be tempted to rest him entirely ahead of a busy September schedule.

Messi mania has well and truly hit the States, with fans spending over $20,000 on tickets for his potential MLS debut against the Red Bulls

But the Argentine is starting on the bench, despite the high levels of anticipation in New York

Before the US Open Cup final on September 27, Inter has six MLS fixtures in store against Nashville, LAFC, Sporting KC, Atlanta United, Toronto and Orlando City.

Messi played 120 minutes against Cincinnati on Wednesday night, producing a sensational last-gasp cross for Leonardo Campana’s stoppage-time equalizer.

He then went on to score his penalty as Miami prevailed in the resulting shootout.

In the Leagues Cup final last weekend, the Barcelona legend also played two hours of soccer before Inter triumphed on spot-kicks once more.