CLEVELAND — The city of Cleveland is preparing to welcome one of the most recognized names in sports, Lionel Messi. The acclaimed soccer player, who recently earned the title of Most Valuable Player in his debut season with Inter Miami, is set to compete in a match against the Columbus Crew on April 19. This event will take place at Huntington Bank Field, the home of the Cleveland Browns, which has a seating capacity of 67,000 fans.

This matchup between Miami and Columbus marks a historic occasion as it will be the first regular-season Major League Soccer (MLS) game held in Cleveland. The city has previously hosted games for both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, but this will be a new chapter for local soccer fans.

The owners of the Cleveland Browns, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who also own the Columbus Crew, view this game as a valuable opportunity to expand their audience. They believe hosting this match will allow them to connect with soccer enthusiasts in the Northeast Ohio region. “At Huntington Bank Field, we can welcome significantly more Crew fans, and it gives us an opportunity to engage with new fans in Northeast Ohio,” remarked John Glessing, the chief of strategy and development for Haslam Sports Group.

Despite facing challenges during the season, including missing 15 out of 34 regular-season games due to injuries and international commitments with Argentina, Messi still made a significant impact. He ended his season with an impressive tally of 20 goals and provided 16 assists, showcasing his elite level of play.