'More supporters than the home team!' — Messi advantage for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's presence has given Inter Miami several on-field benefits and, as goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair pointed out, one off-field perk is often attracting more supporters than the home side when the team plays away. The Herons began their 2026 MLS campaign with five successive away games, and intimidating atmospheres have been in short supply.

Cheers sprung up in pockets throughout the crowd of 72,000 when D.C. United briefly relocated from Audi Field to the M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens. Inter Miami got over the line, picking up three precious points. Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Messi added a second 10 minutes later, and Tai Baribo halved the deficit 15 minutes from the end.

St. Clair reflected on the effect Messi brings: “It’s definitely nice to be able to go to away stadiums and know that you probably have more supporters than the actual home team. Obviously that won’t be the case in every single stadium.

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