Confirmed: Argentinian Footballer Messi Will Be Playing In Jamaica 54 Years After Pelé

ESPN has confirmed that Messi will be part of the the Inter Miami team that will play Jamaica’s Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

“Messi will be playing in Jamaica for the first time ever when Inter Miami face Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The Jamaican club usually plays in a 3,000 seat stadium but moved their round of 16 match to the 35,000 seat National Stadium,” ESPN FC posted on its social media accounts adding, “Kingston, he’s coming.”

Tickets for the highly anticipated CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 match between Jamaica’s Cavalier FC and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sold out almost instantly following the announcement yesterday. The second leg of the matchup will take place on March 13 at Kingston’s National Stadium, which holds 35,000 spectators.

Cavalier FC quickly promoted the match on social media, and fans celebrated the historic event, comparing the expected visited of the world’s best living footballer it to the club’s past hosting of Pelé.

In 1971, Cavalier Football Club of Jamaica, under the leadership of Leighton Duncan, extended an invitation to Santos FC of Brazil, bringing Pelé to Jamaica. During this visit, Santos FC participated in the Torneio Triangular de Kingston, a tournament featuring Santos FC, Chelsea FC, and the Jamaican national team. In the match between Santos FC and the Jamaican national team, Pelé played, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Pelé was also given the key to the city during his visit.

Inter Miami advanced to this stage after defeating Kansas City, with Messi securing the winning goal. Messi’s visit to Jamaica also coincides with Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.