Crowd of 80,000 expected in Peru on Wednesday to see Messi, Inter Miami vs. Universitario
A sellout crowd of 80,000 is expected at Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday night as Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates play a preseason game against Universitario.
It is the second preseason match under new coach Javier Mascherano and the first stop of their Americas Tour, which includes a match Sunday in Panama City against Sporting San Miguelito and Feb. 8 against Olimpia in Honduras.
Inter Miami players expect a passionate and wildly enthusiastic crowd in Lima, and a lot more love for Messi than he got against Mexican club America in Las Vegas 10 days ago.
A large segment of America fans jeered Messi incessantly, leading him to taunt them when he scored, pointing to the back of his jersey, holding up three fingers and then pointing to the crowd and making a zero with his fingers, as if to say 'My country, Argentina, three World Cup titles, your country zero.' Also, Argentina has beaten Mexico during the past three World Cups.
'I think in all of Latin America, maybe because of bitterness or something else, the only country that doesn't enjoy seeing Leo is Mexico,' said Argentine Inter Miami midfielder Fede Redondo. 'But I think Peru will enjoy the festivities and how great it is to see the best in the world.'
Defender Noah Allen, a Pembroke Pines native, says he never tires of Messi mania, even though it means mobs around team hotels and on the way to stadiums.
'It doesn't surprise us anymore,' Allen said. 'It's definitely cool. We're grateful for it, try to take it in. A lot of fans show up for every game, but especially in those types of countries. We get bombarded at the hotel. Instead of seeing the negative of it, we try to see the positive. Not only are they going to see Messi, but the whole team.
'I expect it to be crazy. Great atmosphere around the stadium. Thousands of people at the hotel. Great chance to play in front of 80,000 people.'
Fans in the United States wondering how to watch Wednesday's 8 p.m. game should have broadcast information announced by Tuesday at the latest. Details were still being worked out.
The team will return home immediately after the match, train in Fort Lauderdale and then head to Panama over the weekend. After the Panama game, the team returns to Fort Lauderdale to prepare for the game in Honduras.
Unlike last preseason, when Inter Miami traveled 25,000 miles to play seven matches across five countries, this year's tour is more manageable and easier on the players' bodies.
Most of the roster is healthy and will travel. Missing from training on Monday were goalkeepers Drake Callender, who is recovering from an unspecified minor injury, and Oscar Ustari, who went to Peru early to finalize visa paperwork. Defender David Martinez also was in Peru getting visa worked out.
Recent signees Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia are also awaiting visas; and it is unknown if they will be able to travel. Allende is an Argentine forward who was signed on loan from Spanish club Celta Vigo. Segovia is a Venezuelan midfielder who came from Portuguese club Casa Pia.
Reports from Chilean media said Inter Miami is negotiating a deal to sign Uruguayan defender Maxi Falcon, who plays for Colo Colo.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Allen is doing all he can to help the team. His versatility, work ethic and team-first attitude impressed former coach Tata Martino and Mascherano has praised him, as well. Allen said he has learned from both coaches.
'[Mascherano] is one of the best center backs ever to play at Barca,' Allen said. 'Similar to me, he transitioned to center back. I don't consider myself the fulltime center back, but I am learning. He is very experienced and classy.
'I just try to do my job, whatever the position. Left back is my preferred position but I feel I learned a lot from coach Tata last year and he prepared me for this. I've done well enough to play in these type of games. I am ready to do whatever the coach and team want me to do. I'm not going to complain. I just study and learn.'
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