The Lionel Messi clause! New York Red Bulls include cheeky small print in MLS 'Holiday Pack' ticket deal in case of meeting with Argentina superstar's Inter Miami

Posted Thursday, November 23, 2023 by Goal.com

New York Red Bulls are offering their fans a deal for tickets to next season's MLS opener - but the promotion comes with a Lionel Messi clause.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The MLS side sent out an email to fans offering tickets to their first home game of the 2024 season as well as the derby with rivals New York City. However, ESPN reports there is a special detail in the email that states that: "If RBNY plays Inter Miami CF in the home opener, each home opener ticket will be replaced with a ticket to RBNY's 2nd home match."

THE BIGGER PICTURE
The decision to exclude Lionel Messi's Inter Miami team from the deal likely means the club will increase the ticket prices when the Florida side come to New York. There has been a huge demand for tickets to see Messi in action and fellow MLS team Columbus Crew have already said their tickets will go up from their usual $40 to between $382 and $679 when they meet Inter Miami at home next season.

DID YOU KNOW?
Messi's presence in the United States last season resulted in many fans reselling their tickets for much higher prices than they initially paid. He scored 11 goals for Inter Miami after joining the club in July, but only one of those came in MLS.

WHAT NEXT FOR MLS?
The fixture list for the 2024 MLS season is expected to be released before the end of the calendar year. The campaign will then likely commence around late February or early March.