Inter Miami, the American soccer league champion, has announced that it will name one of the stands at its new stadium after its Argentine veteran Lionel Messi. The club made the announcement in a statement. The new stadium, "DRV PNK Stadium," with a capacity of 26,700 spectators, will feature the "Lionel Messi Stand" during its first match on April 4. "Inter Miami is proud to announce the Lionel Messi Stand as our No. 10 and captain prepares to become part of a rare and unique phenomenon in world sports: a player who regularly plays in a stadium that features a stand named after him," the club said. The new stadium was built specifically for the club to replace Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, which had hosted Inter's matches since the team joined the league in 2020. Messi joined Inter three years ago and has led the team to four titles, including the league championship in 2025 and the Leagues Cup in 2023. The club explained that naming the stand after Messi reflects his ongoing impact. Traditionally, tributes are based on the past. But this time, it's about recognizing that you are witnessing something unique. It's a feeling you get every time Messi steps onto the pitch. Recognizing a person doesn't always mean closing a chapter. It is built in the present, constructed from nostalgia, happens now, and is based on memory. This is different."
