Messi mania is taking over the Bay Area this week.
Inter Miami CF and its megastar, Lionel Messi, are in town to take on the San Jose Earthquakes this Wednesday.
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WATCH HEREOn Monday, Messi and his squad were practicing at the Earthquakes' training facility. NBC Bay Area spotted several fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the global soccer superstar.
Wednesday's contest is one of the Quakes' most anticipated matchups, mostly due to Messi's popularity.
On Monday night at San Jose's Santana Row, there were screams and cheers as fans got a look at Messi. He waved at fans when he came off the bus and then again from the balcony.
“It’s pretty incredible, he’s an idol of mine, its really incredible that he’s playing San Jose,” said Messi fan Ethan Mutchnik.
It’s been weeks of preparation ahead of the Earthquakes-Inter Miami game.
The fence around PayPal Park was shrouded in black material on Monday night, making it difficult to see what's going on inside. As the excitement builds for Wednesday’s game, fans will be at other events across San Jose. including a block party featuring Steve Aoki in downtown Tuesday.
“We want to show off the city of San Jose. So, we want to light up downtown the night before the game with the concert, bring people out, support the small businesses. Then have an excellent game environment at PayPal Park on Wednesday night,” said Earthquakes team president Jared Shawlee.
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SIGN UP Paleta Planeta is gearing up for Tuesday as they’ll be selling their Mexican paletas at the block party co-owner Mauricio Salazar told NBC Bay Area Monday that this match and the excitement around it is an opportunity to showcase San Jose’s talent and culture.
“Everybody is great, we’re really respectful, we’re really kind to one another. And, also showcase our downtown, its time for downtown to make a resurgence and change the way its been. I think its a perfect time for all that to happen,” he said.
Shawlee said this is a preview of what’s to come.
“The idea behind all that is to get ready for the 2026 World Cup. What we’re gonna do these next couple of days is hopefully repeatable next summer during the World Cup and we can do 30 concerts and all kinds of game parties,” he said.
The Quakes announced Monday that single-game tickets for Wednesday's match are completely sold out.
