Many Auburn Tigers fans, not to mention fans across the sporting spectrum throughout the Deep South, planned on heading to the Plains on Tuesday, June 9, to watch Lionel Messi suit up for the Argentinian National Team. Under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Messi y la Albiceleste are hosting Iceland in a historic FIFA World Cup friendly in the Yellowhammer State.
Except that Messi's left hamstring muscle fatigue could keep him out of the contest, just as it did when he visited College Station, Texas, during a matchup with Honduras at Kyle Field on Saturday night. Argentina won 2-0 in full time. Messi was dressed but didn't play.
Argentinian national team manager Lionel Scaloni made no promises that Messi would step on the field at the Texas A&M Aggies' home field this past weekend. Or Auburn's, for that matter. Messi suffered the injury while playing for the Inter Miami Herons on May 25.
"Leo is doing well," Scaloni said Friday. "Leo trained for a part with the group, which is important. He's not fully separated; he's coming along. He may be part of the friendly matches, getting some minutes in these two friendlies. We'll see if it's the one tomorrow or the next one. But he's doing a lot better and that gives us tranquility."
It feels unsettlingly possible that the Auburn Family is about to be let down just like the 12th Man. Just like those fans in the Lone Star State, Tiger fans and others in the region could have spent over $100 (in more than a few cases) to see Messi and then not see Messi.
It'd be hard to call it a scam because things happen; there will still be an international friendly, and the nature of the contest was never one where you would've seen Messi go full throttle. Downtown certainly stands to benefit, with many potential first-time visitors from the futbol community. It will be hard for fans not to feel scammed in some sense, especially after the vague update on Friday. There could've been more transparency at that point before tickets were sold.
What truly separates a friendly at Kyle Field and Jordan-Hare Stadium? Besides Texas having FIFA World Cup matchups in Houston and Dallas, so there's more pressure to deliver in Alabama, nothing really. So why would there be a different outcome, besides the presence of Auburn Jesus? Does FIFA even feel any pressure to deliver to the people of Alabama?
Auburn fans have been through enough disappointment at Jordan-Hare Stadium
What a bad break this would be. Talk about adding to Alex Golesh's plate of pressure by giving Tiger fans a loss before the season even starts at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Tickets to Auburn games have increased over the years, particularly on the hardwood. The 2025 IBOB at the Neville Arena had a get-in price of over $500 on the secondary market to be in the "Standing Room Only" section. Football has gotten more expensive too, as the program plans grand additions to JHS.
Besides Bruce Pearl's Final Four team and final AU squad before retirement, the investments from fans haven't been yielding much tangible success. It's produced five straight losing seasons on the gridiron, in fact.
Can't Messi just get in some cardio in Lee County on Tuesday night? Tiger fans could use a victory in that stadium.
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