KINGSTON, Jamaica – Lionel Messi arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday as part of an Inter Miami squad that will face local champions Cavalier FC in the second-leg Concacaf Champions Cup match at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.

The Argentine football superstar and his teammates greeted Sport Minister Olivia Grange and other officials on the tarmac shortly after their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Messi’s appearance with the team in Jamaica – which has generated a lot of excitement locally – had been in question as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has missed several matches recently, including Inter’s 4-1 win at the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer on March 2 and the 2-0 midweek home win over Cavalier in the first leg of the last-16 tie against the Jamaicans, as the club manages his work load as a precaution against injury.

Grange told the Jamaica Observer that she was proud that Jamaica was hosting Messi and his teammates, suggesting that it was a further boost for the island as a brand.

“I am feeling very happy, I am happy that Jamaica is able to host high profile matches. Having Messi and other high profile players here makes Jamaica looks good, and I am also proud of Cavalier, the fact that they get to play with some of the most outstanding players in the world,” Grange said, adding that “Brand Jamaica will be further enhanced and as the minister of sport I am very proud of that.”

Meanwhile, Peter Mullings, Deputy Director of Tourism touted the occasion as a boost for event tourism in Jamaica.

“Messi brings a lot of attention and certainly his being here gives us an opportunity to showcase the destination even more, in many areas, event tourism is another area we want to focus on and this is another opportunity to do so,” Mullings said.

Video: Ramon Thompson