Back in 2021, the official Real Salt Lake Twitter account had some fun with fans clamoring for the club to sign international soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
It tweeted “AnNoUnCe MeSsI” and posted a doctored photo of him wearing an RSL jersey.
Messi isn’t coming to RSL — but there’s still a chance RSL fans can see Messi at America First Field this year.
RSL and Inter Miami advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals in August. On Thursday, it was announced that RSL has top hosting priority for the final on Sept. 27.
So if both RSL and Inter Miami win their matches against Houston and FC Cincinnati, respectively, they’ll face off in Sandy for the trophy.
The deal between Messi and Inter Miami is not finalized, even though the team’s Twitter account tweeted about it Wednesday. MLS released a statement pouring some tepid water on the news.
“We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer this summer,” the statement read. “Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”
But Messi’s intentions are out there, and it’s got soccer fans all over the world foaming at the mouth. The Athletic reported that a potential MLS debut for Messi could come on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul.
That means Messi will have been in the league about two months before seeing RSL in the U.S. Open Cup final, should the two teams advance to that stage.
