80,000 fans waiting for Messi

"The Messi effect has spread to Peru, with an expected 80,000 fans packed into the Estadio Monumental stadium in the capital Lima. Inter Miami's next tour match against Universitario de Deportes is creating a huge stir among Peruvian fans. Security measures to protect Messi and his teammates are being tightened, as the team chaired and co-owned by David Beckham will fly to Lima on January 25," said Spanish newspaper AS .

The Messi effect has spread to Peru

The reason why the match between Inter Miami and Universitario de Deportes (taking place at 8am on January 30, Vietnam time) has received so much attention is because the Peruvian team is the most successful team here. Including 35 times participating in the Copa Libertadores (similar to the Champions League in Europe), 15 times winning the Peruvian National Championship, including the two consecutive seasons of 2023 and 2024, according to AS .

Along with the guaranteed appearance of Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are all present on Inter Miami's tour, causing fans in Peru to rush to buy tickets to the Estadio Monumental to admire their idols. According to AS , the Estadio Monumental has a capacity of up to 80,000 seats, and is likely to be packed with spectators, setting a record for spectators at a club level match in this country.

Messi and Inter Miami have just had their first pre-season training match before the 2025 season, drawing 2-2 with Club America (Mexico) in Las Vegas (winning 3-2 on penalties) on January 19. The next match is against Universitario de Deportes in Peru, as part of the team's first tour of the Americas, followed by meetings with Sporting San Miguelito in Panama (February 3), and Olimpia in Honduras (February 9). Inter Miami will return to Florida (USA) on February 15 to face Orlando City SC to conclude the tour.

Inter Miami just had their first training match before the 2025 season, drawing 2-2 with Club America (Mexico).

Inter Miami's squad for the new season has about 20 players eligible to play, including the "quad" of famous players Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba who have been training and playing from the beginning.

David Beckham's team is still waiting for the newly recruited players who are about to complete their work visas in the US, or have just returned from the national team, to soon start training, such as Facundo Farias, Drake Callender, Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, Gonzalo Lujan...

According to coach Javier Mascherano: "Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are all certain to play for Inter Miami from the start of the season, with the opening match at the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City (February 19). Therefore, they will have their playing time adjusted in pre-season training matches, from 1 half to 60 minutes. Our goal is to help these players achieve their best form and physical condition, before the official matches of the season begin."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/inter-miami-lan-dau-tien-du-dau-peru-80000-cdv-cho-don-messi-185250125095134822.htm