In an effort to ensure a respectable turnout for their upcoming match against Inter Miami on Wednesday, October 4th, Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire has taken an unusual step.

There's a growing concern that Lionel Messi may not be available for the game as he has been sidelined due to injury, missing Inter Miami's last three matches.

Despite the Chicago Fire having already sold more than 61,000 tickets for the game, it's uncertain whether Messi, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, will be fit enough to play.

Recognising the disappointment that many fans may feel if Messi doesn't take the field, Chicago Fire has decided to extend an offer to its supporters.

Regardless of whether Messi, who is currently nursing a leg injury, is able to participate in the match, the club is taking steps to ensure that fans attending the game still have a positive experience.

"While we don't yet know the official status of Lionel Messi's availability for our match tomorrow, as there's never a guarantee that an athlete will play on any given night due to several factors, we understand that many of our fans may be disappointed if they don't get the chance to see him play," a news release by Fire said on Tuesday, as cited on ESPN.

What is the incentive?

In a bid to boost attendance for the upcoming game, the Chicago Fire has rolled out an enticing offer for its fans. They are providing a $250 account credit, redeemable towards new memberships for the 2024 season, as an incentive for attending the match.

Additionally, those unable to utilize the new member credit will receive a $50 account credit, as reported by the BBC.

It's worth noting that Chicago Fire has historically faced challenges in filling their stadiums to capacity. The highest recorded attendance at Soldier Field dates back to 1998, when they drew 37,122 fans during their inaugural season.

As for Lionel Messi's potential involvement in the match, he participated in training with Inter Miami on Tuesday. However, whether he will be deemed fit for selection in the upcoming game remains uncertain.

Coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has refrained from revealing further details about Messi's fitness status leading up to the match.

Messi wants Luka Modric at Inter Miami

In other news,it was reported earlier Messi’s desire to have Inter Miami sign veteran midfielder Luka Modric, 38.

According to former Real Madrid forward Predrag Mijatovic, Messi is keen on the possibility of linking up with the Croatian at the US-based club.