Report: Lionel Messi’s long-awaited MLS debut on August 20 has been postponed due to Inter Miami’s progression in the Leagues Cup, the club has announced.

Lionel Messi’s MLS debut is POSTPONED: Inter Miami’s highly anticipated August 20 game against Charlotte suddenly pushed back

Lionel Messi‘s long-awaited MLS debut on August 20 has been postponed due to Inter Miami’s progression in the Leagues Cup, the club has announced.

Messi has made a blistering start to his Miami career, scoring seven goals in his first four games, including a 94th-minute free-kick winner on his debut against Cruz Azul.

However, all four of those appearances have come in the Leagues Cup, where he has helped Tata Martino’s men reach this season’s quarter finals

WHAT HAPPENED? The Argentine scored a brace in an eight-goal thriller between Inter Miami and FC Dallas in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup. Messi’s side progressed to the quarterfinals after winning the penalty shootout 5-3 and will next face Charlotte FC – the team they were supposed to meet in their next MLS fixture.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: As the two teams will square it off in the last eight of the Leagues Cup, their MLS fixture – which was scheduled to take place on August 20 – has now been officially postponed to a later date, which will be announced in due course.

WHAT THEY SAID?: In a statement, Inter Miami wrote: “Our regular season MLS match on August 20th against Charlotte FC has been postponed to a later date to be announced due to progression within the Leagues Cup. Tickets originally purchased for the Aug. 20 MLS match will be honored for the new date in which the game will be played.”