Lionel Messi to Have Stand Named After Him at Inter Miami’s New Stadium
Argentina’s football legend Lionel Messi is set to have a stand named in his honour at Inter Miami’s new 26,700-capacity stadium, Nu Stadium. The 38-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, joined the MLS club in 2023 after a trophy-laden career in Europe with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Since arriving in Florida, Messi has made an immediate impact, becoming Inter Miami’s record goalscorer with 82 goals and their record assist provider with 53 assists. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, the club has taken the unusual step of honouring an active player with a permanent tribute at their new home.
Inter Miami explained the gesture in a statement, saying: ”Traditionally, tributes look to the past. They are built from nostalgia, from memory. This one is different. This one is born from the present, from what is happening right now, from what you feel every time Leo steps onto the pitch. Recognising someone is not always about closing a chapter. Sometimes it is about realising you are witnessing something unique.”
The club is scheduled to play its first match at Nu Stadium against Austin FC on Saturday, 4 April.
This will be the second time Messi has had a stand named after him. His boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, honoured him in a similar way in June 2025.
Last season, Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, made history by becoming the first player in MLS to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards. His arrival at the club, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, has significantly raised both the league’s profile and Inter Miami’s status.
On the pitch, Messi has delivered success in the form of the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup, solidifying his legacy not just as a global icon but as a transformative figure in American soccer.
