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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine GOAT is a huge draw in the States</li><li>Many clubs move games to bigger venues</li><li>Herons suffered heavy defeat in latest fixture</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

MLS rivals passed up $3m boost from the live Lionel Messi show - with Minnesota United resisting urge to follow NFL trend when playing host to Inter Miami

Major League Soccer

Houston Dynamo FC

Minnesota United

San Jose Earthquakes

Inter Miami CF

<p>When eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi hits the road, he is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/changed-everything-inter-miami-chief-hails-lionel-messi-impact-mls-compares-nba-legend-michael-jordan/blt07f24130ccba8883" target="_blank">guaranteed to sell out stadiums across the United States</a>. There is a buzz whenever the Argentine is in town, with American fans desperate to watch the GOAT in action.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In a bid to generate as much money as possible from that travelling circus, many clubs opt to move out of their regular homes and take up residence - for one night only - in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-show-la-costs-more-rams-chargers-season-tickets-inter-miami-nfl/bltc20dff066c0cd7ad" target="_blank">venues usually reserved for American football action</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Minnesota United had the opportunity to do that when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/how-mls-decided-winners-lionel-messi-fixture-lottery-2024-desperate-visit-from-inter-miami-travelling-circus/blte215c5758372e08f" target="_blank">seeing Inter Miami added to their schedule in 2025</a>. They did, however, opt against moving that fixture to the much larger Huntington Bank or US Bank stadiums as Messi and Co. were instead welcomed to Allianz Field - which boasts a capacity of just 19,600.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">it's real and it's spectacular <a href="https://t.co/pGudARFJQa">pic.twitter.com/pGudARFJQa</a></p>— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNUFC/status/1921253265208987989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2025/05/11/seven-anecdotes-from-lionel-messis-historic-visit-to-play-minnesota-united/ " target="_blank"><em>Pioneer Press</em></a> reports that: “The decision to keep it at their much-smaller, soccer-specific venue meant its season-ticket base of 14,500 could sit in their exact seats for the match. And the choice to keep it in St. Paul meant MNUFC gave up more than $3 million in revenue.”</p>

WHAT LOCAL PRESS SAID

<p>The artificial playing surfaces in place at American football grounds in Minnesota may have led to Messi pulling out of the game, as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/mls-rivals-bow-lionel-messi-inter-miami-grass-debate-charlotte-fc-stick-artificial-turf/bltc8cc6c03a54b7556" target="_blank">risks of moving away from turf are mulled over</a>, so the Loons ultimately got the performance they were after.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Hundreds of supporters were left on the outside looking in and found themselves denied a glimpse of Messi as Inter Miami’s squad were escorted in through an underground car park. Minnesota supporters were, however, able to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-transfer-update-david-beckham-mls-man-city-legend-kevin-de-bruyne/blt8cbaeb4a0cd8ff6a" target="_blank">celebrate a notable 4-1 victory over the star-studded Herons</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

MLS rivals passed up $3m boost from the live Lionel Messi show - with Minnesota United resisting urge to follow NFL trend when playing host to Inter Miami | Goal.com

MLS rivals of Lionel Messi passed up a $3 million boost when playing host to Inter Miami and resisting the urge to follow an NFL trend.

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