Argentina captain Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or in October and will be honoured in Friday’s friendly at DRV PNK Stadium.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Nov 9th, 2023 08:57 EST
MATT KELLEYAFP
Inter Miami’s ‘Noche d’Or’ promises to be quite an occasion. After missing out on qualification for the MLS Cup Playoffs, The Herons will instead pay homage to star man Lionel Messi on Friday (8 November) when they take on fellow MLS team New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
Unless you recently went on holiday to another planet, you will be aware that the Argentina captain won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in world soccer, for a record-extending eighth time at the end of October, becoming the first active MLS player to do so.
What is Inter Miami and Messi’s ‘Noche d’Or’?
As a result, David Beckham and Co have prepared a “night of festivities” on which Messi and his shiny trophy will take centre stage. Fans in attendance can try out “specialty food and beverage options,” (not the “regular ones you’d get at bog-standard MLS games), while the pregame presentation will feature golden fireworks and a golden carpet for the main man to take to the field on (‘or’ means ‘gold in French, after alll, just in case you weren’t aware).
Calentando motores para el viernes 🔥 🎯 🎟️: https://t.co/3NS8v5P0h2 pic.twitter.com/LnlZ6Q1gfJ
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 7, 2023
After showing off the Ballon d’Or trophy to the fans, as well joining Herons co-owner Jorge Mas and MLS commissioner Don Garber in giving speeches, Messi and Co will take on NYCFC, which will be followed by a BRESH party (the most popular Latin American party worldwide) at XBTO NW Club.
Former Barcelona star may play reduced role agianst NYCFC
The ‘Noche ‘Or is supposed to be all about the former Barcelona star, but perhaps someone needs to tell Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino that. The former Mexico boss did confirm that the playmaker would play in the game but revealed that was a reasonable chance he wouldn’t play the full 90 minutes.
“Leo Messi is in good physical condition and of course he will play on Friday against New York City FC” said Martino, “but it is possible that he will not play the entire game”.
World Cup qualifiers ahead for Messi and Argentina
Messi missed several matches due to injury towards the end of the 2023 season but returned to play twice for Argentina during the October international break and The Herons’ last game of the regular season against Charlotte FC. After the ‘Noche d’Or’, the 36-year-old will jet off to South America once more for his country’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
A moment to remember 🤩Leo Messi celebrating his eighth Ballon d’Or with our academy teams 💫 pic.twitter.com/CJ7VTb3zVR
— Inter Miami CF Academy (@InterMiamiAcad) November 3, 2023
Long-term injury victims Franco Negri and Corentin Jean won’t play any part for The Herons, who released Venezuelan international striker Josef Martínez after their final league game of the year. Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez is being lined up as his replacement but can’t move to the club before the expiry of his contract with Brazilian side Grêmio in December.
