Lionel Messi 'won’t start against Cruz Azul, but will play 30 minutes off the bench'

The Argentine forward will make his much-awaited debut for the MLS side

According to sources, Lionel Messi is unlikely to appear in the starting line-up for Inter Miami tonight; rather, he is anticipated to enter the game during the final 30 minutes.

Fans have paid thousands of dollars for a spot in the stadium to see Argentina's World Cup champion, with one seat even going on the market earlier this week for an outrageous $110,000.

But the recent news that Messi won't play in the Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul may make fans who spent a lot of dollars to be inside DRV-PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale feel a little resentful.

According to The Athletic, Messi will be listed among the substitutes on Friday night, and manager Tata Martino intends to send him for the final 30 minutes of play in the second half.

While Jordi Alba, whose contract was revealed on Thursday, is yet to arrive in Miami after becoming a father for the third time later in the week, Sergio Busquets is also anticipated to play.

Lionel Messi participated in his first team practice on Tuesday, two days after his glamorous introduction in front of a packed audience at the team's stadium in Fort Lauderdale, which is also the site of tonight's game.

On the initial occasion this year, Inter Miami said late on Thursday that every seat that was available for the match had been claimed.

With Miami governor and presidential candidate Francis Suarez providing a raffle for the opportunity to win tickets if people give to his effort, politicians as well have been attempting to cash in on "Messi Mania."

David Beckham, Jorge and Jose Mas, and the other co-owners of Inter Miami consider the amount of coverage paid to the team a success.