Lionel Messi arrives at DRV PNK Stadium ahead of Inter Miami debut as fans queue to enter an hour and a half before kick off

Fans had long been waiting for Lionel Messi before he finally arrived at DRV PNK Stadium ahead of his Inter Miami debut. 

There has been much fanfare around the arrival of Argentina’s World Cup-winning superstar and the excitement was ramped up another notch as fans gathered at the stadium hours before Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul.

Messi is not expected to be in the starting line-up for Inter Miami tonight and is instead expected to play the final 30 minutes of the match to make his debut, according to reports.

However, that didn’t deter the fans from turning up early in anticipation of seeing the Argentine as supporters were queuing before the gates even opened, an hour and a half before kick off. 

Messi arrived at the stadium at a similar time to great fanfare as he struggled to make it down the tunnel without being clamored by fans. He was stopped for a few selfies, including by Cruz Azul staff.

More to follow.