Lionel Messi was in Utah on Wednesday ahead of Inter Miami CF’s match against Real Salt Lake, and the sight of him in the state was enough to turn a regular MLS night into a spectacle. Inter Miami posted photos and video of Messi practicing in Herriman before the game at America First Field in Sandy.
Real Salt Lake spokesman Trey Fitz-Gerald said all indicators pointed to Messi likely starting and playing, though the lineup would not be released until an hour before kickoff. Around 21,000 people were expected for inter miami vs real salt lake, and secondary-market prices had surged as fans rushed to get inside a stadium built for 20,213, not for the global pull of one player.
For Real Salt Lake, Wednesday’s match was the second time the club had faced Inter Miami and the first time the rivalry had landed in Utah. The club considered moving the match to a larger venue because of Messi’s drawing power, Fitz-Gerald said, but decided to keep it at home out of loyalty to its 14,000 season ticket holders and because the team wanted to play in a favorable atmosphere.
That decision meant a packed house and a rare chance for local fans to see a player Fitz-Gerald described in terms usually reserved for the biggest names in sports, saying Messi is the greatest of all time and comparing him to Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods. has described Messi as the most decorated player in soccer history, a label that helps explain why even a stop in Herriman can command this much attention.
The demand in Utah came after Inter Miami drew 75,824 fans at Empower Field at Mile High last Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, the second-highest crowd ever for an MLS game. The only larger MLS attendance was 82,110 for a July 4, 2023 match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles FC, a benchmark that underscored how far Messi’s presence can stretch the league’s reach.
For Ana Valdemoros, the game was personal in a way attendance figures cannot capture. She said she grew up seeing children in the United States wear Messi jerseys and now gets to watch him with her 5-year-old, whose favorite player is Messi, calling the moment priceless and saying he makes her feel proud of her Argentine background. That is the force surrounding this match: a league fixture, yes, but also a rare visit from the player whose name alone can turn a Wednesday in Utah into something people plan around.