Will Lionel Messi play in Cincinnati? It could happen in the US Open Cup this year.

There's a reality sinking in around FC Cincinnati that its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal match could be a bigger spectacle than initially anticipated because international superstar Lionel Messi could be involved.

To be more specific, the 35-year-old Messi, considered by some to be the greatest player of all time, could be standing in the way of FC Cincinnati's path to the Open Cup championship.

FC Cincinnati advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinal Tuesday when it knocked off second-tier Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. On Wednesday, it was confirmed Cincinnati would face Inter Miami CF, which beat Birmingham Legion, 1-0, in a match with little fanfare in Birmingham, Alabama.

That set the stage for the Aug. 23 game between Cincinnati and Miami as both clubs will look to advance to the Open Cup final for the first time in their respective histories. A U.S. Soccer Federation draw on Thursday at 1 p.m. will determine where the match will be played.

About Messi's possible involvement

Inter Miami's semifinal match in Alabama might have been the least interesting thing involved the club Wednesday as multiple reports stated Messi was close to joining the club this summer. Messi would reportedly turn down a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia and an approach from his longtime club, Barcelona, to join the Major League Soccer franchise.

Messi on Wednesday confirmed he intended to come to MLS.

According to a report from The Athletic, Messi's first match with Miami could come in the Leagues Cup July 21 when MIami is scheduled to play Mexico's Cruz Azul. If that happened, Messi would presumably be in line to play in the matches that followed, including the Aug. 23 semifinal.

What would Messi's presence in the game mean?

Front to back, FC Cincinnati has a wide distribution of talent on its roster and should be favored against Miami, with or without Messi on the field.

But Messi's possible presence in the game makes it a little bit of a harder match to judge beforehand. Messi built a reputation on conjuring special goals in clutch moments throughout his career, which might have reached its peak in December when he led his native Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title.

Messi's possible presence would probably be a little more of a headache for the club that earns the right on Thursday to host the game. But again, this is all assuming Messi plays in the match.

As of Wednesday, the semifinal match is 77 days away. They'll be plenty of time to worry about Messi later. Inter Miami probably feels the same way as a significant chunk of their season is to be played prior to his would-be arrival.