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'My man is changing MLS forever' - Fans react as average ticket price for Lionel Messi's MLS debut skyrockets tenfold 

The average ticket price for Lionel Messi's MLS debut for Inter Miami were almost 10 times higher than the average MLS ticket price.

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Akshay
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Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi (Source: Twitter)

Lionel Messi Lionel Messi (Source: Twitter)

A new chapter in Lionel Messi's career began on Friday, July 21, when he made his debut for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. He announced his arrival in the United States with a bang, scoring the winning goal in the dying minutes and delivering one of the most memorable nights in the MLS history.

When Miami co-owner David Beckham and team management decided to bring the legendary footballer into their fold, they probably had high hopes, and it was evident in their last game. However, aside from Messi's stoppage-time goal that gave Miami a thrilling 2-1 win, what has the Internet buzzing is the ticket price of the Argentine superstar's MLS debut.

The 'Messi effect' created a massive price hike for Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul ticket prices. According to Vivid Seats (ticket resale company), average ticket price to see Messi in Miami jersey was $440 per ticket - an 888% increase since June 6 and the highest in team history. The reports also indicate that it is nearly 10 times higher than the average MLS ticket price of $48.

Messi scores first Miami goal with an elegant free-kick

Midfielder Robert Taylor gave Miami an early lead just before the half-time. But Azul winger Uriel Antuna scored the equaliser in the 65th minute. Just when the game looked like it was going to end in a tie, Miami won a free-kick outside the box and Messi netted it to the keeper's right and into the top corner to give Miami a thrilling win.

Watch the video below: 

“What I saw was the goal. I saw the goal, I knew that I had to score. “It was the last play of the game and I wanted to score so we didn’t go to penalties. So it was very important for us to get this win, because it’s a new tournament this is going to give us confidence moving forward," Messi told the Apple TV broadcast after the game.

Here's how fans reacted: 

Lionel Messi