Messi Misses Inter Miami Match As Houston Dynamo Compensate Fans With Free Tickets

Houston Dynamo announced that they will provide their fans with a complimentary ticket for an upcoming home game due to Lionel Messi’s absence from the Inter Miami roster for Sunday’s Major League Soccer match.

Messi’s absence from the game has previously prompted hosts to compensate fans; for example, match organizers in Hong Kong offered a 50% refund on tickets last year after the Argentine was unable to play due to injury.

Last August, the Chicago Fire announced a credit guarantee on match tickets and season passes if an injured Messi did not play in their home game against Miami.

“The recently shared player status report for the match did not include forward Lionel Messi, but it has been reported he did not make the trip to Houston. Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent,” Dynamo posted on X on Saturday.

“Fans who attend tomorrow night’s match can claim a complimentary ticket to a future Dynamo match this season. Additional details will be provided early next week.”

Messi participated in this week’s Champions Cup match against Sporting Kansas City, where he scored the opening goal in Miami’s 3-1 victory.

The 37-year-old received an undisclosed fine from MLS for grabbing a member of New York City FC’s coaching staff by the neck following their 2-2 draw earlier this month.