In a statement shared on X on Sunday (2nd March 2025), the Texan team notified the expectant attendees to the Shell Energy Stadium that ‘the recently shared player status report for the match did not include forward Lionel Messi’ and that he ‘did not make the trip to Houston,’ all the while appeasing disgruntled fans by offering them a ‘complimentary ticket to a future Dynamo match this season.’
The ‘Messi effect’ has become a common theme within Major League Soccer, with the Vancouver Whitecaps offering half price on all food and drink on gameday after it was confirmed that he would miss the May 2024 fixture. Likewise, the Chicago Fire offered a $250 account credit to new season ticket holders for the following season and $50 credit to existing season ticket holders towards the next season’s package.
Others going as far as saying that it damages the reputation of the MLS as a truly serious league
The fan reaction has been less than favourable, with fans being quick to label statements and benefits by opposing teams as ridiculous and embarrassing, with others going as far as saying that it damages the reputation of the MLS as a truly serious league.
While the decision to award compensation for Messi’s absences has caused uproar within the MLS community, so has the inflated prices of tickets fans have had to pay in order to get a chance at witnessing one of football’s all time greats. Fans looking to catch a glimpse of the star can expect to part with hundreds of dollars, with resale sites listing the cheapest tickets for the fixture at $200 or more, in seats high up or far away from the pitch. For the more affluent fan looking for premium seating, expect to part ways with thousands of dollars, as seen in New York City FC’s meeting with the Florida club last season reaching the eye-watering sum of over $9,000 for seating near the players bench.
For the more affluent fan looking for premium seating, expect to part ways with thousands of dollars
In the end, however, Inter Miami clearly didn’t miss Messi’s absence, with an emphatic 4-1 win away from home cementing their solid start to the MLS season. The Dynamo, meanwhile, continue to be plagued with poor form - being winless in their first three games, and finding themselves 13th in the Western Conference table.
The question remains however - is the MLS a competitive league to be taken seriously, or is it a means to gallivant around its money making asset, with fans expecting a refund if the big star fails to show?