Inter Miami - New York City FC live online: score, stats and updates | Messi’s Noche d’Or
Inter Miami vs NYCFC: Noche d'Or live updates
NYCFC available after regular-season disappointment
New York City's selection as Inter Miami's opponents owes much to the fact that, like their hosts, the Boys in Blue failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
League champions in 2021, NYCFC finished 11th in the East in head coach Nick Cushing's first full season in charge, two points outside the playoff places.
It's only the second time that NYCFC have failed to reach the postseason since they made their MLS debut in 2015.
Messi checks in for Ballon d'Or bonanza
Here is the man himself as he arrived at DRV PNK Stadium earlier.
How long will Messi play against NYCFC?
It remains to be seen exactly what the scope of Messi’s involvement will be tonight.
Speaking to reporters pre-match, Miami boss Gerardo Martino suggested that the veteran will start against NYCFC, but may not get the full 90 minutes.
"Messi is in good physical condition and of course he will play on Friday, but it is possible that he will not play the entire Game," Martino said.
Noche d'Or replaces cancelled China tour
Bottom of the Eastern Conference when they signed Messi in July, Inter Miami won four of their first six MLS games after the forward's arrival. However, with Messi struggling with injury in the closing stages of the regular season, Gerardo Martino's men failed to win any of their final six matches and finally finished 14th in the East, nine points outside the playoff places.
With no postseason action on their schedule, Miami had planned a two-Game tour to China - but that trip was cancelled almost as soon as it was announced. Tonight's Game against NYCFC, who also missed out on the playoffs, takes the place of those Chinese friendlies.
Comparing Inter Miami pre and post-Messi
Messi was unable to inspire Inter Miami to a late-season surge into the MLS playoffs, but his impact on the team's results has been significant - as our colleagues at SofaScore have illustrated in this graphic.
Messi's happy Herons start
Messi's time at Inter Miami may have had precious little to do with his Ballon d'Or triumph, but there's no denying that it has been exceedingly successful thus far.
In 14 appearances in all comPetitions, the 36-year-old has scored 11 goals, supplied five assists and led the Herons to the Leagues Cup title - their first ever piece of silverware.
(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP)
BALLON D'OR
Which Ballon d’Or winners have played in MLS?
Messi may be the only active MLS player to win the Ballon d'Or, but he's by no means the only winner of the award to play in the North American league.
Three other players - Kaká, Hristo Stoichkov and Lothar Matthäus - moved to MLS after clinching the France Football prize.
Read more about MLS' Ballon d'Or winners.
Messi the first active MLS player to win Ballon d'Or
I guess it's no surprise that Inter Miami are pulling out all the stops to celebrate Messi's record eighth Ballon d'Or. After all, he has become the first active MLS player to scoop the world-player-of-the-year prize.
That said, his time in Florida had diddly-squat to do with it; indeed, I make it that only his first two appearances for Miami were inside the August-July Ballon d'Or eligibility period.
As I'm sure you don't need me to tell you, Messi's Ballon d'Or victory comes down to his starring role for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as he led the Albiceleste to their third global title.
(Photo: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo)
Tonight's programme of events
The stadium doors are already open in Fort Lauderdale, where Inter Miami vs New York City is scheduled to kick off at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
Around half an hour before the Game starts, there'll be a ceremony to mark Messi's Ballon d'Or triumph. The Argentine is to parade the trophy for the DRV PNK Stadium fans and give a speech, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and MLS commissioner Don Garber are also scheduled to speak.
Inter Miami vs New York City FC: welcome
Hello! Welcome to our live-text coverage of what Inter Miami have dubbed 'Noche d'Or': at DRV PNK Stadium tonight, the Herons will celebrate Lionel Messi's recent Ballon d'Or win, before closing out their 2023 season with a friendly against New York City FC.
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