Lionel Messi ‘could pull out of the coldest MLS match EVER’ as Inter Miami prepare for freezing -15C conditions in Champions Cup opener
Lionel Messi is reportedly considering pulling out of Inter Miami’s upcoming clash with Sporting Kansas City amid the freezing conditions the match will be played in.
Weather reports ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup opener on Tuesday night suggest that temperatures will drop as low as -15C (5 degrees Fahrenheit).
According to journalist Franco Panizo, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is not keen on playing in the match – however there remains a chance that he is still included.
Reports further claim that Inter Miami have explored the possibility of postponing the match or even moving it to a warmer location amid the weather warnings.
The temperature could dip to as a low as -24C (-12 degrees Fahrenheit) with chill winds expected on the night.
Those temperatures would break the record for the coldest MLS match in history – which was previously the -7C (18 degrees Fahrenheit) that was recorded in a clash between Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers back in 2019.
Lionel Messi is considering pulling out of Inter Miami’s clash amid freezing conditions
Weather reports suggest that temperatures will drop as low as -15C (5 degrees Fahrenheit), which would break the MLS record (Pictured: Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers in 2019)
Meanwhile, the same journalist shared an old interview with Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez – who suggested the Argentine dislikes playing in cold conditions.
Back in 2021, Suarez said: ‘We talk every day, we always try to avoid expectations because we are players and we know how we have to act in those moments, we talk about the games, about the family.
‘He told me that he suffers a lot playing in the cold and snow. You have to get used to the cold there for sure’.
Messi enjoyed a stellar campaign with Inter Miami last season, recording 21 goals and 11 assists from his 22 MLS appearances.
Now, the Argentine has been enjoying the post-season break ahead of the new campaign starting up at the end of the month. They face New York City FC on February 22nd, after the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup leg.
During his off-season break, Messi was recently spotted at the attending Super Bowl LIX alongside Inter Miami teammates Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquests.
The Argentine also found time to take a picture with with Jackson Mahomes – while older brother Patrick Mahomes played in the championship game for the Chiefs.
Meanwhile, recently, Messi’ son Thiago stole headlines after scoring 11 goals for Inter Miami in a clash against Atlanta United.
The temperature could dip to as a low as -24C (-12 Fahrenheit) with chill winds expected
Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets (L-R) attending Super Bowl LIX
The 12-year-old is the eldest of three sons of Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
He is a part of the Inter Miami academy, the club his legendary father now plays for.
The young attacking midfielder donned the No 10 shirt, a number synonymous with his eight-time Ballon d’Or winning dad.
Thiago has previously represented Barcelona at youth level and reportedly has a priority contract options at Argentinian side Newell’s Old Boys.
