Nearly 45,000 at Yankee Stadium watched NYCFC stun Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the final seconds of stoppage time.

The sights and sounds of an Inter Miami away trip are familiar a year into the Lionel Messi experience. There's pre-match discussion about ticket prices and attendance records being set. Fellow travelers on the subway ask Messi jersey-sporting strangers when and where he's about to play.

Lionel Messi has reportedly already chosen the date when he will leave Inter Miami and Major League Soccer with the former Barcelona forward set to end his playing career elsewhere

It is safe to say that Lionel Messi has been a hit signing for Inter Miami. The global superstar previously sent shockwaves through the soccer world when he opted to join the club in the summer of 2023.

Yankee Stadium will be open to full capacity for the first time since 2016 for the New York City FC game against Miami on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of the Argentine star, who returned to action last week after a long injury layoff. A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected in the Bronx, which would be nearly double the season average.

Superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC will continue the team's pursuit of the Supporters' Shield on Saturday afternoon when they visit struggling New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.

Lionel Messi is not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami’s game at Atlanta United. With the Herons playing their second of three games within a week, Messi will begin the match on the bench.

The game drew 44,738 to Yankee Stadium, the second-highest total in NYFC history. The clubs played to 1-1 draw in Miami on March 30. Inter Miami started the day eight points ahead of next-closest team in Supporters’ Shield race with four matches left.

Lionel Messi will play his third match since returning from his injury as Inter Miami visits New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

James Sands recorded his first career MLS goal in stoppage time to help New York City Football Club salvage a point on Saturday afternoon in a 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami. Sands’ goal came in the 95th minute with his club down by one in an important game late in the season as NYCFC is battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.