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FC Cincinnati players do battle for Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt

Lionel Messi will come up against two Argentine rivals in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Luciano Acosta and Álvaro Barreal will get the chance to play against their country’s captain.

Kieran Quaile

Kieran Quailekquaile90Update: Aug 23rd, 2023 10:46 EDT

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami poses with his Best Player Award and Top Scorer Award after defeating the Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.   Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kevin C. Cox / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

KEVIN C. COXAFP

After winning the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is hoping to book a place in a second final since his move to the United States. On Wednesday, Tata Martino’s Miami side will face FC Cincinnati in the semifinals of the US Open Cup.

Messi will come up against two Argentine rivals in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Luciano Acosta and Álvaro Barreal will get the chance to play against their country’s current leader and captain.

“Everyone was happy with Messi’s arrival in the league, it revolutionized everything. It’s very difficult to face him but we’re prepared, we’re going to go out and try to put in a great performance,” Barreal told ESPN.

“Leo is Leo, at any moment he can unlock your defence. The main thing we have to have is concentration,” Barreal added. The 23-year-old from Buenos Aires will play his 100th game for Cincinnati if he features against the Leagues Cup champions.

“The games, the tickets to see Messi, he revolutionized everything… It’s not the same as going to see another game.

Battle for Messi’s shirt

When asked about the battle with his team-mate Luciano Acosta to get Messi’s shirt, he said: “If I have the chance, I’ll ask him [Messi] too. It’s a dream for me, He’s an idol. He’s the captain, so we’re going to respect him, but obviously, I’m going to ask him for it. We’ll see who takes it!”

Futbolistas a seguir en los Playoffs de MLS 2023: Luciano Acosta, Bouanga, João Klauss…Full screen

Argentine playmaker Acosta in action for Cincinnati.Anne-Marie SorvinUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Acosta the key man for Cincinnati

Acosta is the captain, number 10 and key man for Cincinnati since arriving at the club in 2021. This year he has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 30 games. He is also the second-highest scorer in MLS this season, only behind the German Hany Mukhtar.

Sending Messi a message

Acosta has already discussed getting his hands on Messi’s shirt on Wednesday. “He has two, one for the first half and one for the second half. In the tunnel, I’m going to ask him for it. I haven’t spoken to him yet but I’m going to send a little message to see if I can guarantee it. It would be the first shirt of his that I’ll have,” he said.

pic.twitter.com/D8EwnmwCjh

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023

Praise for Messi

The former Boca player, 29, was full of praise for Messi ahead of the clash. “They have the No 10 that makes the impossible possible. We are first in the league, I think it will be a great semifinal. Nobody wants to miss this game… A lot of people have called me to ask me for tickets.”

When is FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami?

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