Lionel Messi likely to play but might not start on July 21

Lionel Messi is set to make his MLS debut with Inter Miami on Friday night, but fans might have to wait a half to see the Argentina legend.

Miami coach Tata Martino said Messi and newly signed Sergio Busquets are ready for game action, but he has yet to decide if they come off the bench against Cruz Azul in the teams' Leagues Cup opener.

"From what I have seen up to now they are going fit to play and it is likely that on Friday they can be there," Martino told Argentina's ESPN Futbol 12 on Wednesday. "Whether that will be as starters or coming in at the half, we will have to make that decision yet, but as I see it, Leo as well as Busi can play."

Tickets for the game are going for between $275 and $110,000, according to ticket reselling website Vivid Seats.

Miami signed Busquets, Messi's longtime teammate at FC Barcelona, on Sunday, the same day as the official welcome given to Messi at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Miami is last in the Eastern Conference of MLS, sporting a 5-14-3 mark and 12 points behind the red line for the playoffs. But Martino said the Herons are going to get the best version of Messi.

"But someone I admire a lot told me that he is coming to MLS carrying an empty suitcase but without all the pressure he had in Barcelona in 2010-11 or the pressure of the national team," Martino said. "Now, I think I am going to find a very competitive version of him because he has the need to win wearing this shirt now, because he has not won here yet."

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