Lionel Messi Jersey Ban by St. Louis City SC!

St. Louis City SC Let Out a Stunner: No Messi Jerseys Allowed!

July 18, 2023 164 2 minutes readBreaking News

Controversial Lionel Messi Jersey Ban Shakes Soccer Enthusiasts! — Megan Briggs / Getty Images via AFP

Behind the Ban
Did the Ban Work?

Shocked, right? But it’s not as bad as it sounds… Let’s start from the beginning. St. Louis City SC, a powerhouse within the Major League Soccer teams, set forth a startling rule: “No Messi Jerseys Allowed!” This applies to the fans filling the “Supporter Section” of the team’s booming home ground.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentinian footballer, recently joined Inter Miami; his team was set to play St. Louis City SC, and then this pops up. But why would a team ban jerseys of one of the world’s best footballers?

The Grounds Behind the Ban

Actually, it’s not about Messi, it’s about maintaining the home team spirit. The club, following a practice common in Europe, decided to forbid all rival team gear in the Supporter Section. They even made a survey asking if the St. Louis fans were cool with it. And Messi, being the newest star of their opponents, fell under this ban. Fans could, however, flaunt their Messi jerseys elsewhere in the stadium. It’s just the supporter section that’s quarantined.

But, is the Lionel Messi jersey ban a case of Messi-bashing? Couldn’t really say, but it just so happens that Messi is Inter Miami’s most forefront figure, and the move includes all the jerseys from all the other teams where Messi has played, including his childhood team, the Grandoli! Think that’s a little overkill? Well, if you picture the French bar that used a Messi jersey as a doormat when they lost to Argentina, St. Louis City SC’s ban actually seems tamer and more of a strategic move to boost team morale. At least that’s what they say.

Well, Did the Ban Work?

It’s hard to say if the Lionel Messi jersey ban impacted the match, but St. Louis City SC did bag a 3-0 victory against Inter Miami. Still, Messi fans shouldn’t lose heart, for the 36-year-old maestro is set to make his debut with Inter Miami in a match against Cruz Azul of Mexico, according to the MLS schedule. So fans, keep your chin up and your jerseys tucked away, just in case!

Interestingly, Messi is no stranger to boos. Even fans of Paris Saint-Germain, his former team, once expressed displeasure by jeering at him. Still, Messi is a record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. Boos or bans, he still is what he is: one of the best players in Major League Soccer and one of the greats in football history.

Keep tuned for more, at Point Spreads.