Leo Messi’s kids having fun while the pitch is made ready for kickoff
Messi’s third match with Inter Miami begins 95 minutes late because of weather delay
El argentino Lionel Messi, del Inter Miami, calienta para el partido de la Leagues Cup, el miércoles 2 de agosto de 2023, en Fort Lauderdale, Florida (AP Foto/Rebecca Blackwell)
Men hold a cardboard cutout of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi before gates opened for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi arrives for the team’s Leagues Cup soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi arrives for the team’s Leagues Cup soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) and teammates and teammates warm up for a Leagues Cup soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi warms up for the team’s Leagues Cup soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The round of 32 Leagues Cup match on Wednesday between Inter Miami and Orlando City was scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
Messi and his Inter Miami teammates appeared on the DRV PNK Stadium field for warm-ups 45 minutes before the scheduled start. The heavy rains began approximately 20 minutes later.
After stadium crew drained water puddles around mid-field, Messi and his teammates re-appeared for a second round of pre-game warm-ups.
Messi has not dealt with inclement weather in his first two Leagues Cup matches since joining the MLS club. He scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul and added two goals in a victory over Atlanta United.
