Lionel Messi welcomed to Jamaica by Sports Minister Olivia Grange

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday ahead of a highly anticipated showdown between his Inter Miami team and Jamaica’s Cavalier Football Club in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.

Messi was warmly welcomed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, and Argentina’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Marcelo Angel Balbi Calvo. During the brief ceremony, Minister Grange presented Messi with a Bob Marley shirt and the signature Roast Backpack made by Jamaican company Bresheh.

The star forward was also introduced to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Denzil Thorpe, as part of the official welcome. The visit has sparked immense excitement among local football fans, eager to witness Messi in action at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday night (March 13).

Tonight’s match marks a crucial moment in the tournament, as both teams vie for a spot in the next round. Inter Miami secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg on March 6 in Fort Lauderdale, putting Cavalier SC in a must-win situation for the return fixture. The match was originally scheduled at Cavalier’s usual 3,000-seat venue but was moved to Jamaica’s National Stadium—boasting a 35,000-capacity—to accommodate the overwhelming demand. Ticket prices range from $20 (presold bleachers) to $300 (platinum seats).