Sat Apr 19 21:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Messi Magic Heads to Cleveland: Inter Miami to Face Columbus Crew in NFL Stadium

**CLEVELAND, OH –** Lionel Messi’s impact on Major League Soccer continues to reverberate, bringing the Argentine superstar and his Inter Miami CF team to Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday for a highly anticipated match against the Columbus Crew. This marks the 11th NFL stadium game for Messi since joining MLS, a testament to his drawing power and the league’s strategic embrace of larger venues.

The game is a unique collaboration between the Columbus Crew and the Haslam Sports Group, owners of both the Crew and the Cleveland Browns. The move aims to introduce the Crew to a new fanbase in Northeast Ohio, a region with a burgeoning soccer scene, albeit one overshadowed by the dominance of other sports.

While the match promises a record-breaking crowd, surpassing the Crew’s previous single-game attendance record, it isn’t without controversy. The Crew’s supporters’ group, the Nordecke, will boycott the game, protesting the decision to play in Cleveland instead of Columbus. They cite concerns about fan experience and loyalty to the team’s home city.

Despite the dissent, the Haslam Sports Group views the event as a crucial step in expanding the Crew’s fanbase. MLS officials are also optimistic about the long-term benefits, highlighting the potential for converting new Cleveland fans into loyal Columbus Crew supporters.

The game itself is a significant clash between two unbeaten MLS teams: the Eastern Conference-leading Crew and Inter Miami. Messi, with three goals and two assists this season, will undoubtedly be a major focus, as will Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki, a local Cleveland native excited to play in front of his hometown crowd. The match is expected to draw a crowd exceeding 60,000, showcasing the immense appeal of Messi and the potential for strategic stadium expansion within MLS.

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