Soccer legend Lionel Messi heads to Tampa
February 14, 2025 - Worldwide soccer fans are descending upon Tampa to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face off against Orlando City Soccer Club at Raymond James Stadium in a preseason match Friday evening. Miami’s coach confirmed that Messi, and all starters, will see “as many minutes as possible.” Ron Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, noted that “very few people get an opportunity to be in the stands to see the greatest player of all time … right here in our hometown.”