How MLS decided winners of Lionel Messi fixture lottery in 2024 – with everyone desperate for a visit from Inter Miami’s travelling circus

The Herons have become the biggest draw in American soccer, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi ensuring that sell-out crowds pack into venues across the United States. Inter Miami season tickets sold out within a matter of minutes of going on sale.

Their Eastern Conference rivals will get a visit from Messi and Co in 2024, but only three Western Conference teams could realistically host Tata Martino’s side. All 14 of the teams in that picture expressed interest in welcoming the all-time great to their backyard.

That list was quickly whittled down to six – with the Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Salt Lake having never played Inter Miami since their MLS bow in 2020. Three others – the LA Galaxy, Minnesota United and Sporting Kansas City – have never hosted the Herons.

Colorado, RSL and Minnesota have been snubbed, with Brad Pursel – MLS’ SVP of game schedule management - telling Yahoo Sports: “Certainly we've had other great players come in the league. But there's only one Leo Messi.” He said that decisions on those missing out on the Messi show were down to “thinking of what would make sense in 2024, and then what would make sense in 2025.”

Schedules have also taken Messi’s international commitments into account, with the 36-year-old set to sit out at least six games while away with Argentina. With that in mind, Inter Miami are slated to face the New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Nashville SC, Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati during international breaks – as the five Eastern Conference clubs that hosted Messi in 2023.