Lionel Messi reacts during the MLS match between Chicago Fire FC and Inter Miami CF at Soldier Field on April 13 (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is taking Major League Soccer to levels of visibility and popularity never before seen. Considered by many to be the greatest footballer alive, the Argentinian winger has made Inter Miami CF, a club founded only seven years ago, the most relevant in MLS.
Partially owned by David Beckham, Miami have become the “circle the date on the schedule” opponent for every team in the league. You saw the Messi effect Sunday on the shores of Lake Michigan, as the Chicago Fire FC broke an attendance record.
An overwhelming majority of the 62,358 in attendance were wearing Messi shirts, whether it be the light blue and white of Argentina or the pink and black of Miami.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano put it succinctly and bluntly.
“I think he’s changing how the world sees MLS in one way or another,” Mascherano told the postgame press conference at Soldier Field, following the 0-0 draw with the Fire.
“There’s no doubt about that. In the end, we’re talking about a player who’s capable of achieving all of that, of giving maximum visibility to a league like this.”
Messi’s Magic Grips Chicago
This is Messi’s third season with Miami, but it was his first match at Soldier Field against the Fire, as he was out injured the previous two times Miami came to Chicago. The previous attendance record was set in 2023, when the Herons made their first appearance in Chicago of the Messi era.
Sunday’s goalless draw was much more exciting than it may sound, with both sides having numerous scoring chances that just missed. Messi saw one of his free kicks bounce off the crossbar, while another landed on the top part of the netting. The crowd loudly gasped with bated breath both times.
That’s the Messi effect — his every move, typically made with the fleetest of feet and the smoothest of movements, always elicits oohs and ahs from the tens of thousands watching him.
Fan reactions like these prompted Mascherano to simply tell it like it is to the media afterward: “The people came to see him, that’s the reality.”
Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady registered his first clean sheet of the season, and it marked the first time that Inter Miami’s powerful attack has been shut out in MLS this season.
“He’s (Messi) dangerous wherever he’s taking a free kick,” Brady said in the mixed zone, following the game.
“It’s definitely something we worked on in training, but I felt prepared. The guys on the wall felt prepared, and you’ve got to be ready for anything.”
A Full House and a Fire Defense
Anytime an MLS match sells out an NFL stadium (the Chicago Bears are Soldier Field’s primary tenant), it’s a major achievement, and Brady discussed just how much he thrived off playing in front of a packed house: “It gives me a good rush.”
Fire defender Jack Elliott, who played a huge part in limiting Miami to just five shots inside the box, hopes that some of the people who showed up this weekend will come back for future Fire games.
“Obviously, it’s incredible to set a record like that,” he told the media mixed zone.
“I think it’s huge for the city to embrace the sport, and hopefully, some of the fans liked what they saw from us and will stick around and come out to some more games to keep that attendance high and keep the atmosphere going.”
Gregg Berhalter is in his first season as Head Coach and Director of Football for the Fire. His previous job was manager of the United States Men’s National Team, where he led the Stars and Stripes to the 2022 World Cup round of 16.
Given his background, when he calls Messi the greatest player in the world (as he has done on several occasions during Fire press conferences this season), it carries a lot of meaning.
On Sunday, Berhalter basically said that a Messi set piece is like a penalty kick from any other player — the chances of it going in goal are extremely likely.
“Those two free kicks that he has — you’re holding your breath because it almost feels like a penalty kick,” Berhalter told the post-match presser.
“When he gets those opportunities, it’s like, this is a goal.”
Messi’s Impact Echoes Beyond the Pitch
He also marveled at the durability of the 37-year-old forward:
“They have a lot of games in their legs. That was his fourth game in two weeks; actually, fourth game in 10 days, probably. So he’s been playing a lot of soccer.”
Later on Berhalter described what Messi can do, fundamentally, that no one else can:
“Acceleration and change of direction is just different level, where you can’t get close to him. You saw a couple times tonight.”
While it’s Messi that has put Miami on the global football map, everything about this club reflects the theme of fiesta, matching the popular stereotypes of their home city. Hot pink is their primary color. Herons comprise their club crest. A cruise line is their shirt sponsor; a reggaeton anthem is their goal scoring celebration song.
Many of their fans fire up pink flares while pregaming to salsa music. If Pitbull showed up to a match and led a conga line of Inter Miami supporters into the stadium, it would seem perfectly apt to the overall vibe.
While the Herons currently have the feel of a club in one of Europe’s big five leagues, there are still 29 other teams in MLS. There are 826 other players in Major League Soccer beyond Messi.
Mascherano later remarked about where the league goes from here, and how they need to keep building on the excitement that Messi has generated.
“Now, MLS has the responsibility to continue advancing,” he said.
“It’s made progress, but it’s necessary to continue supporting the fact that I’m here to continue developing soccer in this country. He’s a unique, unrepeatable player. Everywhere he’s been, he’s marked a before and after.”
Paul M. Banks
