REVEALED: St. Louis City SC warned fans against wearing Lionel Messi jerseys in Supporters Section before Inter Miami lost there 3-0
- Lionel Messi was not even in attendance as his new side was trounced
- Other MLS clubs have previously ejected fans wearing opposing jerseys
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Lionel Messi has not yet played a game for Inter Miami, but he’s apparently on the minds of opposing teams nonetheless.
His new squad 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: Opposing team gear is not allowed in the Supporter Section,’ a message shared by supporters’ group St. Louligans read. ‘It’s for CITY fans!
‘For the July 15 match, this includes all Messi jerseys, shirts and gear – Miami, Argentina, Barcelona, Paris-Saint Germain, Newell’s Old Boys and Grandioli.’
While opposing gear is commonly banned outside of away fans sections in Europe, leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB commonly see opposing fans wear their team’s colors wherever they choose.
Inter Miami officially announced Lionel Messi’s signing on Saturday with a Twitter video
St. Louis warned fans before their Miami of wearing Messi jerseys in the supporters section
MLS has evidently veered away from that mindset though, and other fanbases have documented incidents of away supporters being kicked out or forced to change for for wearing their colors in a supporters section.
Messi’s MLS arrival was officially confirmed on Saturday as Miami released a video to finally announce the move.
The No. 10 signed a deal with the club through the 2025 MLS season following his departure from PSG.
Messi, who joins the club as a Designated Player, said: ‘I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.’
Messi is set to be unveiled Sunday to Miami fans at DRV PNK stadium – likely alongside former Barca teammate (and new Miami teammate) Sergio Busquets.
Tata Martino (center) will be delighted to have Messi, but he’s still yet to win a game in charge
His debut for the club is set for next Friday in the Leagues Cup vs. Cruz Azul, but fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him in MLS action.
Miami’s next league game is not until August 20, vs. Charlotte FC.
The club extended its winless streak to 11 games on Saturday in Missouri, and Messi, Busquets and Co. will face a mammoth task to get the club into the postseason.
The Herons are last in the Eastern Conference with 18 points – 12 off of the last postseason spot.
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