Lionel Messi Sets New Record Despite Inter Miami’s Loss to Sounders in Leagues Cup Final

In an exciting conclusion to the 2025 Leagues Cup, Inter Miami advanced to the final as top contenders, thanks to a solid defense and experienced players. However, the team fell short against the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field Stadium. Despite the loss, Lionel Messi set a remarkable record in the tournament, highlighting his significant role in the sport.

As reported by the Seattle Sounders on Instagram, the 2025 Leagues Cup final reached an all-time attendance of 69,314 fans. The high interest in seeing Lionel Messi led to adjustments, allowing for an extra row of seating at Lumen Field, even with its slightly smaller listed capacity. This decision proved successful. Additionally, the Sounders celebrated their first-ever trophy in this competition, marking a historical moment.

The previous record for attendance in this competition was on July 27, 2024, during a match between Chivas de Guadalajara and the San Jose Earthquakes, which attracted 50,675 fans at Levi’s Stadium. Messi’s participation led to an additional 18,164 spectators, creating a new benchmark that emphasizes his influence on the sport.

Continued Impact: Messi’s Attendance Records in MLS

Lionel Messi has proven to be a significant attraction for Major League Soccer, as seen in the record-breaking attendance at the 2025 Leagues Cup final. This isn’t the first time Messi has raised attendance for MLS matches. Earlier this year, in April 2025, his presence generated impressive turnouts for three teams.

On April 13th, Soldier Field in Chicago drew an impressive crowd of 62,358 fans for the Chicago Fire’s match. This trend continued on April 19th at Huntington Bank Stadium, where 60,614 fans attended to see the Columbus Crew. Messi’s impact both on and off the field has clearly raised Major League Soccer’s visibility, attracting unprecedented numbers of fans.

Messi’s influence also extended beyond the MLS. On April 24, 2025, a record crowd gathered for the CONCACAF Champions Cup match between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps. This event broke the old attendance record set in 1993, with 53,837 fans in attendance, setting a new high for the franchise.