Messi or no Messi, Fire using Inter Miami match to entice new fans

Struggling with a leg injury, Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi is questionable for the game against the Fire on Wednesday night at Soldier Field (7:30 p.m., Apple TV+).

Still, even without Messi on the field, the occasion can be a big one for the Fire franchise.

In a statement Tuesday, the Fire announced they have distributed more than 61,000 tickets for the game. If Messi does not suit up, it will be disappointing to many of the fans who paid increased prices in hopes of seeing him. Messi, 36, has missed four of Inter Miami’s previous five games, and there has been speculation that he won’t play much the rest of the season.

The Fire, however, are hoping those customers still come to Soldier Field if Messi doesn’t. And they’re providing an incentive to hopefully make them return for less glitzy occasions, giving fans who show up a $250 credit toward a 2024 season ticket or a $50 credit that can be used toward any game next year regardless of whether Messi plays. The team also is touting a “surprise halftime performance.”

“While we don’t yet know the official status of Lionel Messi’s availability for our match tomorrow, as there’s never a guarantee that an athlete will play on any given night due to several factors, we understand that many of our fans may be disappointed if they don’t get the chance to see him play,” the Fire said in a statement Tuesday. “We realize that there will be many in attendance who are coming to a Chicago Fire match at Soldier Field for the first time, and we’re excited to welcome them to the Fire family and give them an opportunity to become long-term fans by creating a wonderful, fan-focused atmosphere.”

Coach Frank Klopas also sees the night’s significance. And to him, Inter Miami won’t be the only team on the field with players worth watching.

“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase the quality and the players that we have,” Klopas said. “It’s an opportunity to take advantage of a moment like this and get people that maybe come once or twice a year to games, games like this, where they can say: Hey, this was an exciting game and a great team, really exciting team; it was an exciting game, so why not buy season tickets next year? Moments like this, you have to take advantage of.”

The Fire also have a change they can take advantage of, sitting tied with CF Montreal and D.C. United for the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with three games left, though Montreal owns the tiebreaker for that playoff berth. Even if Messi is absent, Inter Miami has players the Fire need to be wary of, including former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and 2018 league MVP Josef Martinez.

Those guys, though, aren’t Messi.

“I can compare, let’s just say the Bulls; when Michael Jordan didn’t play, they still had a very good team,” said Klopas, referring to the 1993-94 and most of the 1994-95 NBA seasons. “But then you had Michael Jordan, and maybe then they win eight [titles] in a row. So I think Miami is still a very, very good team with some excellent players, but you have icing on the cake that if Messi plays, he’s that one player that will always give you that edge. At any moment, he can make a play and win the game for them.”