Lionel Messi made to wait as Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash is delayed due to severe weather
Inter Miami’s League Cup clash against Orlando City has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Fans of Lionel Messi were hoping to be treated to another spectacle from the 36-year-old following his explosive start to his career in America.
Inter Miami’s clash against Orlando has been delayed due to a weather delayTwitter: @WorldSoccerTalk
GettyMessi has starred in the Leagues Cup from his opening two matches[/caption]
GettyBut he has been made to wait as rain caused havoc on the DRN PNK Stadium pitch[/caption]
The Argentina international has scored three times in his opening two games for Miami since joining on a free transfer.
But he is being made to wait for his third outing as torrential rain waterlogged the pitch at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Players were also escorted off the pitch while they were preparing for kick-off due to lightning in the Fort Lauderdale area.
And the game – which was scheduled to start at 1am BST – has been unsurprisingly delayed, with there no currently no update on when it will now kick-off.
A statement from the Leagues Cup read: “This evening’s match between Inter Miami vs Orland City will be subject to a weather delay.
“We will provide an update on the kickoff time when available.”
Broadcasters Apple TV switched to showing Inter’s previous match against Atlanta United instead of the Round of 32 build-up in an indication that the match may not start for some time later.
Messi had been named in the Inter Miami starting XI for the clash, alongside ex-Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets.
Un Aguacero Impresionante!
The storm is passing over Drv Pnk Stadium at the moment, with the rain pummeling the stands and field.
Soggy conditions coming up for whenever the game gets underway.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 #VamosOrlando #LeaguesCup pic.twitter.com/5Go7o10zXz
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 2, 2023
Rain and lightning has led to the Leagues Cup matched to be delayedTwitter: @MundoAlbicelest
But Jordi Alba, who has followed Busquets to Inter after leaving Barca as a free agent, has had to settle for a place on the bench.
He will be hoping to make his debut for his new side against Orlando after being announced as a new player earlier in the week.
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One of the continent’s biggest star players, Lionel Messi, was made to wait as a scheduled Leagues Cup clash between his Inter Miami side and Real Salt Lake was delayed due to severe weather.
On Wednesday, the showdown between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake was set to take place at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions caused by tropical storm Isaias. The game, which was also scheduled to feature other big-name players such as Cristian Higuita and Roman Torres, was cancelled less than an hour before kick-off, leaving Lionel Messi and his teammates frustrated and disappointed.
The Leagues Cup, which began last month, is a tournament featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX. It is still yet to be seen how this game will be rescheduled in the future. However, it is clear that Lionel Messi will keenly await along with his Inter Miami teammates for the opportunity to resume play.
This delay was certainly a disappointment for fans of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in particular. The iconic Argentinian footballer has previously shone in spectacular fashion in global tournaments such as the Champions League. He knows the feeling of winning big games under pressure, and was likely disappointed not to be able to showcase his talents with his new team in this tournament.
But, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will have to wait a little longer to prove they are the best team in this competition. Until then, they will have to remain patient.