Snowstorm delays Messi’s Inter Miami Champions Cup debut
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Champions Cup game against Sporting Kansas City has been delayed due to severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, the North American soccer organization CONCACAF announced on Monday.
The match, initially set for Tuesday, would have marked Javier Mascherano’s team’s first appearance in the continental tournament, but will now be delayed until Wednesday.
The United States National Weather Service has issued a winter storm alert for the area, which covers parts of east-central and northeastern Kansas and central and west-central Missouri.
“The decision to delay the match at Children’s Mercy Park was made with the safety of the players and fans as a priority and after discussions with the two clubs involved and local officials,” CONCACAF said in a statement.
The sports governing body added that the delay was also due to the possibility of snow accumulating on the field.
The return leg is scheduled for February 25 at Miami’s Chase Stadium, with the winners advancing to face Jamaica’s Cavalier in the round of 16.
The Champions Cup, previously known as the Champions League, is an annual international club tournament organized by CONCACAF as its premier continental event for clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.