Lionel Messi is applauded even by his rivals. Gala ovation, whether in their own field or someone else's.
It happened the other day in Frisco, at the FC Dallas ground, in Inter Miami's first trip since signing the Argentine star. The public packed the stadium to see the evolution of his team in the Leagues Cup (LC) against those of Florida. Of yours?
In the resale, unimaginable amounts were paid to watch a soccer match between two American teams, up to $850 in the so-called secondary market.
If it had only been played a month ago in the North American League (MLS), a lot of concrete would have been exposed in the stands. But on July 21 another era began. That day Messi made his debut and the era of Messimanía was inaugurated, which knows no geographical limits. In the parties of the New York parks you can already see guys jogging with the mega crack jersey.
“Everything seems destined to split La Liga history between pre and post-Flea, as Miami surrounds the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner with his former Barcelona tiki taka teammates,” Dan Haducky reflected on ESPN. The meeting of the three friends (Messi, Busquets and Alba) fuels many media evocations of that Barça baptized as the best squad in the world and infinity.
Back to Frisco. Those from Texas won 4-3 and almost tasted the pass to the next round of the LC. But there was a foul on the balcony of the area in favor of the visitors. Minute 85. That could not bring anything good, thought the locals, on and off the field, remembering the goal of Messi's debut day in Fort Lauderdale. It depends on how you look at it. The Dallas fans raised their hands to their heads and celebrated as if that fascinating goal belonged to them, even though, in the end, it would mean their elimination.
They had seen a miracle.
"You have to pray that the ball goes out of bounds or that Messi falls in the race to kick the ball," sighed Nico Estévez, the Texans' coach, surrendered to the myth.
“The future of soccer in North America is very bright,” David Beckham proclaimed. That he affirms it, he has his thing since he is one of the owners of Inter and he sees a horizon of success for a team that was a fireworks party without gunpowder.
His phrase resonates, however, in the offices of large companies. A year ago, MLS signed an agreement with Apple for the digital broadcast this season of the majority of the games on that platform, a pact of 2,500 million dollars for ten years. At that time, the approaching earthquake was unknown or foreseen. They had 700,000 subscribers in June and, since the arrival of the ex-Blaugrana, who arrived from Paris, they have doubled. “We couldn't be happier with the way our partnership with MLS is going. It is in the beginning, but we have already exceeded all our expectations. The fact that Messi has gone to Inter Miami has been a great help," Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, explained to investors.
Adidas is not complaining either, although they have been overwhelmed by the demand for the star's jackets. There was a “sold out” moment.
The first 24 hours of trading for the No. 10 jersey was the most fruitful 24 hours achieved by any player switching teams in all sports, according to Fanatics, MLS' digital sales company. He surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo when he signed for Manchester United in 2021, Tom Brady when he joined the Tampa Buccaneers in 2020 or LeBron James when he joined the Los Angeles Lakes in 2018.
“This is a transformational moment for our League,” stressed MLS Commissioner Dan Garber. The arrival of Messi, 36, brings a huge dose of enthusiasm – he lands consecrated as the winner and best player in the World Cup – and uncertainties.
Have you come to retire or on vacation? Will this lower stake result in less effort? Will he reach age?
The first five games (4-0 this Friday against Charlotte) encourage the illusion that he wants to. It is praised that this is not the sad and absent Parisian Messi, but the one that connects with the happy stage of Barcelona.
“Having a phenomenon like him here makes our players better. When you face this level, you have to do better, surpass yourself”, said Estévez.
The chronicler Mac Engel compared the Messi phenomenon to that of Taylor Swift, the singer who sweeps the stage. He maintains that they differ on one point: Taylor delivers from start to finish, 40 songs, without stopping to hydrate and less time to catch her breath.
Messi, on the other hand, goes at his own pace, as always, "he even remembers the one in Paris." But every time he touches the ball, "his skill, coordination, talent and intelligence make him look like Mozart in the middle of a field of high school kids playing the tuba," Engel quips. "Every time the ball is at his feet, it's Magic (Johnson), it's Jordan, it's Elvis Presley."
There are those who ask another question: "Is Messi so good or the defenders so bad?" The Argentine has not yet debuted in the League, where his team is the worst of all. Until now he has had spaces that would be unthinkable in a Champions League, with stronger and more technical opponents. But he has scored eight goals, more than the first course in the French championship. Today, his team, which had won five games so far in the League, has scored all five in the LC.
There are doubts as to whether forming a big three can be bread for today and hunger for tomorrow. Some teams have begun to hire scouts and have founded academies inspired by La Masia in search of talent. In collaboration with Busquets and Alba, writes Kevin Baxter in the Los Angeles Times, "Messi has transformed Inter Miami into Inter Barcelona in the Leagues Cup." He leaves a question: “The soul of MLS may also be at stake. Will the future of La Liga be the rapid endorphin rush of Inter Barcelona or the methodical, substantive teams and long-term planners?
