Fire to credit fans if injured Messi can't play

The Chicago Fire announced Friday that it will provide compensation to fans if Lionel Messi is unable to feature due to injury when Inter Miami CF visit Soldier Field on Aug. 31.

The Argentina forward suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during the Copa América final against Colombia on July 14 at Hard Rock Stadium, forcing him to the sidelines for an as-yet undetermined amount of time.

In the case that Messi cannot play against Chicago, the team said it will offer single-match buyers who purchase between now and Aug. 3 $250 off two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season ticket memberships or $100 off two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.

For fans who already had tickets, the Fire will offer the opportunity to claim two complimentary tickets to the Fire's 2024 Fan Appreciation Night for the Oct. 19 match versus Nashville SC

"As the Club looks forward to filling Soldier Field with fans to cheer on the hometown Chicago Fire, it does recognize that a player of Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi's caliber always helps to draw a larger crowd and attract new fans to the beautiful game," the club said in a statement unveiling what it called the "Fan-First Credit Guarantee."

"Despite the injury Messi sustained during Sunday's Copa América Final, the Fire are confident that he will be back on the pitch for next month's match-up. To ensure a full stadium and to create an unforgettable experience for all in attendance, the Fire are offering the Fan-First Credit Guarantee."

The initiative, the club said, serves as part of the Fire's "ongoing commitment to consistently meet the evolving needs of supporters and fans, ensuring the best matchday experience possible."

Off the field, the Chicago Fire is planning several matchday activities for fans attending the game against Inter Miami, including entertainment activities and a 60-minute post-match performance by singer Jason Derulo.

Messi failed to travel to Chicago the last time the two clubs met at Soldier Field on Oct. 4, 2023 after he suffered a right-leg injury that kept him on the sidelines for several weeks. 62,000 fans watched as the Fire triumphed 4-1 over Miami without Jordi Alba or Messi on the roster.

On that occasion, the Fire offered fans an incentive of a $250 account credit toward new memberships for the 2024 season, or a $50 credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit, to all single-game ticket buyers regardless of whether Messi was able to appear.

Earlier this season, there was widespread criticism from Vancouver Whitecaps fans when Miami opted to rest the star trio of Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets for the game in Canada. The hosts offered 50% off in-stadium food and drinks to the club-record crowd in an attempt to combat fan frustration.