MIAMI.- Few expected that, almost three years after signing for the Inter Miami, Lionel Messi was going to compete in that city of the Florida a match of his sixth World and, even less so, that he came into the match as the tournament’s top scorer, tied with Kylian Mbappé.
The star of Rosary has six goals and leads Argentina towards the sixteenth against the surprising Cape Verdeon Friday in Miamia city where you feel wonderful.
His signing for Inter, after two difficult seasons in the Paris Saint-Germaincould suggest early retirement for him. At 36 years old, he had just conquered Qatar 2022 the World Cup what was missing and MLSless demanding, seemed like a good way to close a historic career.
But Messi had other plans.
His game revolutionized his club, without any title until his arrival, and also the league and football in USA.
In his first season, with the help of his former teammates Barcelona, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Albaled Inter to raise the Leagues Cup. And in 2025 it was decisive for his team’s first MLS title.
His influence goes beyond the playing field, he explains Juan Pugincoach at the soccer academy Revo Soccer in Doralnear Miami.
“Messi marked a before and after of what football means here. Starting in 2023, everyone became an Inter fan,” he says. “We also noticed it a lot in the academy. Many more kids joined to practice the sport.”
The face of 10 in murals of the Little Havana and the neighborhood of Wynwood shows how he has conquered a city more accustomed to supporting the Marlins of the Major Leaguesto the Dolphins of the NFL or to heat of the NBA.
“A pride”
After his Parisian experience, Messi found a place in South Florida to enjoy his family and live more relaxed, with a large Argentine community.
On Tuesday, in an area of Miami Beach known as Little Buenos Airesdozens of fans wore Albiceleste t-shirts.
That passion makes people smile Lily Diaza 69-year-old woman from Buenos Aires who walks around with a national team cap on her head. These days he feels closer to the country he left four decades ago to settle in Florida.
“It is a great emotion that Messi comes to play for Argentina. He is a source of pride, an example as an athlete and as a human being,” adds this fan, who has already seen the star four times with Inter.
Nearby, Johnny Fortes62 years old, traveled from Buenos Aires to follow Argentina throughout its World Cup journey until a possible final.
“I am an administrative worker, but for a year and a half I drove a car at night so I could come to USA“, he explains. “I sacrificed, but it was worth it.”
In Buenos Aires Bakerya popular Argentine restaurant, the fervor for the team and business sense have led to charging an entrance fee of 15 dollars and a minimum consumption of 20 to be able to watch the Albiceleste games in the packed venue.
Inside, Julian Franco Enjoy Argentine food that you cannot find in buffalo (New York), where he settled three months ago from the Argentine province of Catamarca.
He doesn’t have a ticket for Friday, but he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of Miami these days.
“You feel so excited watching Messi play,” he says. “And even more so knowing that he also had failures. It gives you the illusion that not everything is lost, that you always have to give a little more to achieve what you want.”
