Lionel Messi debut attracts Tom Brady, LeBron James & more celebrities to watch first Inter Miami game

Sam Jarden

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Lionel Messi debut attracts Tom Brady, LeBron James & more celebrities to watch first Inter Miami game image

Greatness recognizes greatness. 

Soccer superstar and global sporting icon Lionel Messi is set to make his debut for MLS club Inter Miami on Friday night against Cruz Azul. Messi joined the team this summer after two seasons with French club Paris Saint-Germain. 

As expected, the legendary Argentine's first match for his new club is likely to draw a huge crowd at DRV PNK Stadium in South Florida. A sellout crowd of nearly 18,000 fans is expected as Messi begins a new chapter in his career.

Among those 18,000 are some notable names, including numerous famous athletes and celebrities. Here is a look at the stars in the building for Messi's Miami debut:

MORE: Live updates from Messi's Inter Miami debut

Celebrities at Messi's first Inter Miami match

Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback

LeBron James, NBA player

Serena Williams, former tennis star

Kim Kardashian, media personality

Tua Tagovailoa, NFL quarterback

Becky G, singer

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.