Messi Coming to Hudson County

Lionel Messi is set to take the field at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison on July 19 when Inter Miami visits the New York Red Bulls in an MLS matchup that is expected to draw major attention.

While it is a regular season game, it comes at a pivotal point in Miami’s season. The club recently concluded its run in the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, hosted across the United States from June 14 to July 13. Representing the host nation, Inter Miami was invited despite not winning the MLS Cup or the Concacaf Champions League, which are typically the paths to qualification. The decision made sure FIFA could showcase Messi on a global stage once again. Whether or not that was fair is still debated, but from a business perspective, it made sense.

In the Club World Cup, Miami competed in a tough group alongside Brazil’s Palmeiras, Egypt’s Al Ahly, and Portugal’s FC Porto. Miami advanced to the Round of 16 where they found themselves outmatched by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, falling 4-0. João Neves scored twice for PSG, while Messi and his teammates struggled to create chances. The loss ended Miami’s Club World Cup run.

Now, with that international stretch behind them, Messi and his teammates return to league play looking to resume their MLS season.

The July 19 clash is expected to sell out fast. For local fans, it is a rare chance to see one of the greatest players of all time live. For the Red Bulls, it is an opportunity to make a statement against one of the most closely followed teams in the world.