Messi arrived in Mexico to play against Monterrey and gathered a crowd: the flag dedicated to 10

Hundreds of Mexican fans went this Tuesday to the hotel where the team will be based. InterMiami directed by Lionel Messi facing the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions League, known as Concacampionithis Wednesday in front of the Monterrey Mexican. The Argentine ten was applauded by the fans who wore his shirt.

The plane that transported the former Barcelona player and his companions arrived at the airport of Monterrey, a city in northern Mexico, before midday.

The authorities in charge of organizing the match have established measures to prevent fans from getting close to Messi and the other Inter Miami players.

“There is an additional barrier that is placed when there are concerts at the Monterrey stadium. It’s not something we’re unaware of. There should be no inconvenience,” explained Monterrey’s director of institutional relations, Everardo Valdez.

Valdez said the security work ahead of this European Cup match will serve as a test for authorities in Monterrey, one of the cities that will host World Cup matches organized in 2026 by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Among the public who came to see Leo and his companions up close, a family of fans stood out who dedicated a very emotional flag to the 10: “Thank you for not giving up and for being the dream and motivation of many”, we read on the colors . from Argentina and together with two photos of Messi with the World Cup.

Beyond the fervor shown by the crowd that approached the hotel where Inter Miami is staying, the American team’s team moved out of reach of the fans.

It is worth remembering that the first leg, played last week in Miami, was won by Monterrey 1-2, on an evening that ended in controversy over what happened in the locker room, when Leo and Tata Martino were involved in a confusing episode with the referee team and the Monterrey technical staff.

Former footballer and coach Nico Sánchez, assistant to Fernando “el Tano” Ortiz, told in an audio leaked on social networks how the clash between Leo was, who did not play that match due to an injury but went down to face the match judges once the match is over.

“The ‘security’ approached me, didn’t touch me because I didn’t react. I didn’t even look at him (Messi), but the dwarf was possessed, he had the face of the devil. And he put his fist on my side. “Who do you think you are, salami?” Who did you eat? “I don’t think he insulted me, but since I didn’t look at him I never responded and worse,” said the former Nueva Chicago, Racing and River defender, among other teams.

The winner of the series will face the winner of the match between the MLS champions Columbus Crew and the Mexican Tigres in the semifinals, a series that is 1-1 and will be decided this Tuesday.