 "Lionel Messi will reportedly be rested during Inter Miami's match against Houston Dynamo. Image: Reuters")
Lionel Messi missing the Sunday match between Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo has forced the latter to offer their fans a complimentary ticket for a future home game. Houston fans were looking forward to watching Messi at the Shell Energy Stadium in the Major League Soccer match on Sunday, but the Argentine great is not travelling with Inter Miami.
Houston offer free tickets due to Messi’s absence
It has been reported that Messi is not injured, but head coach Javier Mascherano wants to rest him due to the upcoming congested schedule. This means Houston Dynamo has offered an apology to their fans and free tickets to a future match.
“The recently shared player status report for the match did not include forward Lionel Messi, but it has been reported he did not make the trip to Houston. Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent,” Dynamo posted on X on Saturday.
“Fans who attend tomorrow night’s match can claim a complimentary ticket to a future Dynamo match this season. Additional details will be provided early next week.”
The absence of Messi on the pitch has caused the hosts to compensate spectators before, with match organisers in Hong Kong announcing a 50% refund for tickets last year after the Argentine did not take the field due to injury.
Last August, Chicago Fire announced a credit guarantee on match tickets and season passes if an injured Messi did not play in their home game against Miami.
Messi played in this week’s Champions Cup clash with Sporting Kansas City, scoring the first goal in Miami’s 3-1 win.
The 37-year-old was also fined an undisclosed amount by MLS for grabbing one of New York City FC’s coaching staff by the neck after their 2-2 draw earlier this month.
With agency inputs