The idol will land in Medellín to play a friendly that is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.
The dream of thousands of fans is about to come true. After weeks of rumors and growing expectations on social networks, it was confirmed that Lionel Messione of the greatest footballers of all time, will play in Medellin in 2026.
The Argentine idol will arrive with Inter Miami to play a friendly that is already considered a historic event for football.
The chosen scenario could not be any other: Atanasio Girardot stadiumone of the most emblematic sports temples in the country. According to the information initially revealed by the journalist Mauricio González Arteagathe match will be played on January 31, 2026a date that fans already mark with excitement on the calendar.
In fact, internal sources from both clubs assured that the agreement is completely closed and that Medellín will be the definitive venue for the expected commitment.
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What is known about Messi’s arrival in Medellín?
The recent MLS champion, Inter Miamiwill arrive with his stellar squad to face National Athleticthe most successful club in Colombia and an institution with one of the most passionate fans on the continent.
The match, cataloged by football figures as “The match of history”will mark Messi’s return to the country after more than a decade. His last appearance in Colombia, outside of commitments with the Argentine National Team, was ago 13 years in an exhibition game that was also held in Medellín.
The presence of world champion It will not be the only attraction of the meeting. Messi will be joined by other figures of international stature: Luis Suarez, Rodrigo de Paul and Edier Ocampowho are also part of the team Inter Miami and have sparked even more interest among fans.
On the side of National Athleticthe friendly will be an opportunity to present your sporting project to 2026 and measure their level against a club that has become a global phenomenon since the arrival of Messi.
Total expectation among fans
The ad went viral almost immediately. On social networks, hundreds of fans celebrated the possibility of seeing the Argentine star, while others have already begun to ask about ticket availability. And it is no wonder: Messi’s visit represents an unprecedented event in the sports history of Medellín and could turn the Atanasio Girardot into the world epicenter of soccer during that weekend.
According to the organizers, the event will have a special press conference in which figures such as René Higuita and Francisco ‘Pacho’ Maturana, who have publicly supported the project and have highlighted the symbolic value of having Messi playing against Nacional on Antioquia soil.
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Will Messi be on the court? What is known
Although the friendly match has already been confirmed, the Rosario’s presence is still not absolute. Your participation will depend on factors such as official MLS calendarpossible commitments with the Argentine National Teamhis physical state at the close of the preseason and some contractual conditions typical of international matches.
However, sources close to the Inter Miami They point out that the intention is to travel with the complete payrollwhich significantly increases the probability that Messi will be among the summoned.
A monumental economic impact for Medellín
Beyond the sporting spectacle, Messi’s arrival could generate one of the highest economic movements in the recent history of Colombian sports. Preliminary estimates indicate that the event could promote:
- hotel occupancy above the 90%
- A economic impact above 20,000 million pesos
- notable increase in national and international tourism
- and one global media exposure for the city
Travel agencies, ticketing platforms and tour operators are already preparing special packages in the face of the avalanche of fans seeking to ensure their space in the stadium.
