In August 2023, Hoboken locals lined the waterfront for a chance to spot celebrity athlete Lionel Messi, who was weekending at the W Hotel for a soccer match at Red Bull Stadium. When news broke that Inter Miami CF would return to Harrison on March 23, 2024, locals speculated the Argentine soccer star would once again grace the Mile Square — but a recent injury means Lionel Messi likely won’t visit the Garden State at all. Messi suffered a hamstring injury during an international tournament match and is expected to stay in Florida for recovery training this weekend, while his teammates take the field in Jersey. Read on for what we know.
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What We Know
The well-known Argentine professional soccer player Lionel Messi was slated to visit New Jersey’s Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey this Saturday, March 23rd for Inter Miami CF’s game against the New York Red Bulls. This was big news for soccer fans of Lionel Messi, who is heralded as one of the best soccer players in the world.
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Messi signed a contract in July 2023 with Inter Miami CF, making him an official member of the MLS (Major League Soccer) as a forward. Messi’s move to play in the MLS garnered international attention, especially after securing the FIFA World Cup for Argentina in 2022.
On March 23rd, 2024, the New York Red Bulls will still Host Inter Miami CF, the Red Bulls’ second home game of the season, with kickoff scheduled for 2PM. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi isn’t expected to join his teammates on the field. Per Diario AS, “the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner…suffered a hamstring injury during the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 tie against Nashville,” and is “not expected to play at Red Bull Arena at the weekend.” This follows Messi’s absence from the Inter Miami CF vs. United D.C. match just last weekend, per The Washington Post.
Though Messi likely won’t be in attendance, a trip to Red Bull Stadium is always a fun time — and if you plan on heading to the game this weekend, check out our complete guide to Harrison here.
Messi’s Most Recent New Jersey Appearance
In August 2023, The Hoboken Girl reported that Lionel Messi, fresh off his move to Inter Miami CF, was rumored to be in the area, with fans excited about the prospect of seeing the well-known soccer player. The anticipation reached such heights that streets in Hoboken were blocked off in preparation for the soccer player’s arrival.
Well, the rumors were true, and research confirmed his team’s scheduled match with the Red Bulls at Red Bull Stadium on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 7:30PM. Not only did he make an appearance for the soccer match at Red Bull Stadium, but he also spent the weekend at the W Hotel in Hoboken. Since then, there have been no more reported sightings of Messi in the New Jersey area.
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