Messi at Azteca? Ronaldo Doubtful & Pumas’ Fiery Return | Sports News

The planned grand reopening of the Estadio Azteca is facing uncertainty as Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury casts doubt on his participation in the March 28th match against Mexico. However, another global superstar, Lionel Messi, has emerged as a potential headliner for the renovated stadium.

Club América is actively preparing for a return to the “Coloso de Santa Úrsula,” with plans to host their Concacaf Champions Cup matches at the stadium. They recently secured a win against Philadelphia Union, positioning themselves as favorites to advance to the quarterfinals. Should Inter Miami progress through their own tie against Nashville, a clash with América at the Azteca could be on the cards.

América has formally requested permission from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) to resume playing home games at the Estadio Banorte starting with the Jornada 14 match against Cruz Azul on April 11th. This request is strategically timed, as the Champions Cup quarterfinals are scheduled for April 7-9 and April 14-16. The club has also reportedly approached Concacaf to secure approval for hosting Inter Miami at the Azteca, should both teams advance. If Ronaldo’s appearance proves impossible, Messi is now positioned as the leading candidate to officially reopen the stadium before the 2026 World Cup.

The potential arrival of Messi is generating significant excitement, with his presence demonstrably drawing larger crowds than even the Super Bowl. Recent figures show that Messi’s debut with Inter Miami against LAFC attracted 75,673 fans, and his visit to D.C. United drew a record crowd of 72,026. These numbers surpass the attendance at the most recent Super Bowl, which had 70,823 attendees. The hope is that Messi can replicate this draw at the Estadio Azteca.

Meanwhile, there’s a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Pumas UNAM. The upcoming match against Cruz Azul is being billed as a heated rivalry, with players on both sides adding fuel to the fire. Pumas defender Angulo has referenced lingering resentment over a past injury to Kevin, although Vite reminded Cruz Azul of their previous defeat. This heightened intensity is being attributed to the influence of manager Efraín, whose leadership is credited with instilling a new competitive spirit within the team.

Finally, the future of the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis in Acapulco is under threat. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia is considering acquiring the tournament license with the backing of the ATP, potentially reshaping the professional tennis calendar. The New York Times has reported that the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is looking to purchase several tournaments, with Acapulco and Buenos Aires being prime targets. The goal is to create a new Masters 1000 event in February, potentially displacing the existing tournaments. While a complete takeover isn’t certain, the possibility of the tournament being relocated remains a concern for tennis fans in Mexico.