ATLANTA — The city of Atlanta has suffered more than its share of bitter sports disappointments, but at least most of those happened during the game. One of the most anticipated regular-season events in the city's history — a Saturday evening visit from Lionel Messi and Inter Miami — lost virtually all its celebrity juice 18 hours before kickoff. Messi opted to rest and remain in Miami, frustrating a sellout crowd filled with Messi jerseys and newly minted Inter Miami fans.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Brooks Lennon #11 and Tristan Muyumba #8 of Atlanta United celebrate after a goal as Sergio Busquets #5 of Inter Miami CF reacts during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA — The city of Atlanta has suffered more than its share of bitter sports disappointments, but at least most of those happened during the game.
The will-he-won’t-he began even before Messi officially signed with Miami. Even as speculators snatched up tickets for future Inter Miami dates in August, September and October, longtime Messi observers warned in ominous tones that he wouldn’t play on artificial turf. When that theory proved groundless, attention turned to Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches held last week.
“We were mentally prepared for the worst to happen, and it seems like it has,” said Kael Rewers, who paid $150 a ticket and traveled from Illinois for the match. “The benefit is that Messi got us into the Atlanta United [when they played earlier this season], so we’re going to make the best of it.” Even with secondary ticket prices well into the triple digits, Saturday’s match almost surely would have ranked among the best-attended in MLS history. Instead, ticket prices cratered, falling from a get-in price of more than $200 earlier in the week to as low as $40 in the hours before the game.
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