Seattle Sounders tempt fans with Lionel Messi kit trade-in before Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami

The MLS side launched a bold campaign ahead of their showdown with Miami, offering fans the chance to trade in Messi jerseys for Paul Rothrock ones

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WHAT HAPPENED
Seattle Sounders have announced an unexpected promotion allowing fans to trade in any Lionel Messi Inter Miami jersey for a Paul Rothrock Sounders FC kit free of charge. The exchange will be available at the Lumen Field Pro Shop when gates opened at 3:30 p.m. PT while supplies lasted. The promotion deliberately contrasted the world's most famous player with a hometown talent who represents the Sounders' community-based identity ahead of Messi's first Seattle appearance since joining MLS.

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS SAYING
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The jersey exchange represents the growing confidence and distinctive culture of the Seattle Sounders organization as they prepared to face the league's most glamorous team on their home turf. The promotion highlighted the different pathways to success in MLS: international superstars versus locally-developed talents.

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WHAT’S NEXT?
The Sounders host Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday evening before an expected record crowd, reportedly set to exceed 65,000 fans at Lumen Field.

WHAT HAPPENED