Chicago Fire have offered $250 in credit towards 2024 memberships to the 61,000 supporters due to attend the Inter Miami fixture on Wednesday - a game Lionel Messi may miss through injury.
36-year-old Messi has been ruled out of Miami's last three games, including the 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final, and there's been speculation that his hamstring issue could sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Gerardo Martino said after the 1-1 draw with New York City FC that Miami were "going to evaluate" Messi's injury before making the trip to Chicago, adding that he's "feeling better and better" with every passing day.
But with more than 61,000 tickets sold for the upcoming MLS clash at Soldier Field, there's obvious concern that a number of supporters will simply not turn up if Messi is not playing.
So in order to incentivise attendance and welcome new supporters to the club, the Fire have acknowledged the potential impact of Messi's absence by offering a discount on memberships for the 2024 season, as well as credit to supporters attending the game as a one-off.
A club statement read: "While we don't yet know the official status of Lionel Messi's availability for our match tomorrow, as there's never a guarantee that an athlete will play on any given night due to several factors, we understand that many of our fans may be disappointed if they don't get the chance to see him play.
"We realise that there will be many in attendance who are coming to a Chicago Fire match at Soldier Field for the first time, and we're excited to welcome them to the Fire Family and give them an opportunity to become long-term fans by creating a wonderful, fan-focused atmosphere.
"To show our appreciation, the Chicago Fire will be offering a $250 account credit toward new memberships for the 2024 season – or a $50 account credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit – to all single-game ticket buyers who attend our match vs. Inter Miami regardless of which players are able to make an appearance on the pitch.
"With a variety of in-match activations, including a surprise halftime performance, Wednesday is going to be a memorable night. We’re excited to host Inter Miami; this match has major playoff implications for both Clubs, and with over 61,000 tickets distributed, we’re expecting a thrilling Eastern Conference match-up at Soldier Field."
The Fire's record attendance at Soldier Field currently stands at 37,122 - a clear indicator of Messi's incredible pull and the insatiable appetite of fans to see the legendary Argentine before he hangs up his boots.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Chicago Fire offer fans huge financial incentives amid Lionel Messi injury fears.
