CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In one day, 10,000 tickets were sold for Charlotte FC’s last home game against Inter Miami. 

It happened the same day of the announcement that international soccer star Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami. 

Messi led Argentina’s national team to win the World Cup last year and will soon play for the team facing Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on October 21. 

Karla Martinez, who is a Messi fan, bought tickets for her and her family right away.  

“Just to see him, I think it’s going to be just an amazing thing for me as an adult but for all these young kids too. He’s one of the greatest players of all time,” she said. 

She became more passionate about soccer because of her son. 

“Soccer has been instilled ever since Sebastian was born. His dad is Colombian, has played his soccer throughout his life. I’m an athlete as well, college athlete,” Martinez said.

Sebastian Martinez is 10 and he plays for the Queen City Mutiny, an MLS next soccer team. 

He’s also a Messi fan. 

“I just really like him, he has good sportsmanship and he is a good player,” Sebastian Martinez said. “I really wanted to see him play in front of my own eyes.”

Karla Martinez is not shocked at the high demand for tickets. 

“Charlotte is such a football, soccer community,” Martinez said. 

She’s also not surprised prices for similar seats are going up.

“There are so many people who want to come,” she said. 

The family is looking forward to the game. 

“It feels good to see him, because he has been my celebrity for many years now,” Sebastian Martinez said. 

For this game Charlotte FC will open the upper bowl of the stadium, which will more than double the capacity.  At full capacity, Bank of America Stadium can hold around 74,000 spectators. Last year, Charlotte FC had that attendance at the team’s inaugural match. 

Charlotte FC recommends calling the ticket office or emailing [email protected], if you are still searching for tickets.