The good news for O’Toole is his experience defending Messi, having faced the 2022 World Cup hero in an exhibition about a year ago. As O’Toole explained, Messi often drifted from the right to the middle in that game and there weren’t many opportunities for one-on-one matchups.

Yankee Stadium will be open to full capacity for the first time since 2016 for the New York City FC game against Miami on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of the Argentine star, who returned to action last week after a long injury layoff. A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected in the Bronx, which would be nearly double the season average.

Lionel Messi is making his first-ever MLS appearance at Yankee Stadium and NYCFC are looking to turn things around in matchup

Lionel Messi is Big Apple-bound. On Saturday, Sept. 21, his Inter Miami CF swoops into The Bronx to take on the New York City FC at their home Yankee Stadium. Coming into the match, Inter Miami CF leads the MLS’ Eastern Conference with an impressive 19-5-4 record;

Superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC will continue the team's pursuit of the Supporters' Shield on Saturday afternoon when they visit struggling New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.

New York soccer fans can breathe easy knowing that they should get a chance to see Lionel Messi play at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.