Red Bulls increasing security ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival

The Red Bulls will face a challenge not only trying to contain Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on the field Saturday night, but also off the pitch as the club prepares for what is shaping up to be the biggest MLS regular-season game Red Bull Arena has ever hosted. 

The game presents a logistical test for the Red Bulls’ operations staff, which is prepping for the largest gate for an MLS match at their arena and making sure arguably the world’s greatest soccer player is kept secure. 

Security around Messi and Inter Miami has been increased since the global superstar arrived stateside last month.

Updated security measures were put in place at DRV PNK Stadium, Inter Miami’s home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Those include an increased security presence at field level to prevent pitch invaders from trying to get close to Messi. 

With Messi Mania now headed to the Big Apple, the Red Bulls and Inter Miami have been working with one another in order to make sure that the necessary security measures are in place for Saturday in Harrison, N.J. 

During a phone interview with The Post, Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpré said the communication between the clubs has been fluid and they have been “collaborating with Miami to make sure that we’re all on the same page.” 

The Red Bulls plan on a 25 percent increase in security for a match expected to draw 20,000 fans or more, and de Grandpré said there would be a 50 percent increase in security at field level. 

“We know fans love to jump on the field and get close to Messi sometimes and we’ve seen it before,” de Grandpré said. “We’re going to try to mitigate that by adding a lot of folks around the pitch so we keep everyone secure.” 

Fans have already attempted to run onto the field to get at Messi since he has been in MLS.

An overzealous spectator was stopped from getting on the pitch during Miami’s 4-0 Leagues Cup match home win over Atlanta United on July 25. 

Another fan was detained after jumping a security barricade when Miami arrived at a North Texas hotel this month. 

The Red Bulls also had an incident last year in which several fans were able to make their way onto the field at the end of an exhibition match between the Red Bulls and FC Barcelona. 

The match Saturday will be Messi’s fifth MLS game away from South Florida, but unlike the others he has played in so far, the atff at Red Bull Arena have experienced Messi Mania before.

Argentina played a tuneup game there last September before heading to the World Cup in Qatar. 

“Because we’ve had Messi here before with Argentina, we’ve managed the security and the building, getting to the building before,” de Grandpré said. 

Increased security won’t be limited to just the field.

The Red Bulls have coordinated with local law enforcement agencies, including the Port Authority.

Fans can expect to see an increased police presence along with “rapid deployment forces.” 

“We’re really elevating our standards for this match to make sure everyone has a great experience, not only in the building, but outside the building,” the Red Bulls GM said. 

The Red Bulls have also put plans in place to mitigate some of the chaos for the fans going to the game.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff and activities around the stadium will begin even earlier in order to help with the high volume of traffic expected. 

They’ve also secured extra parking across from the stadium, de Grandpré said, along with parking options in nearby Newark.

The club has been encouraging fans to utilize the PATH Train and they’re working with the Port Authority regarding about increasing service around the game.