MLS fans join Messi in celebrating his Ballon d’Or win

The DRV PNK stadium was almost full of supporters, many of whom were yelling “Messi! Messi!” in chorus, even though the team’s MLS season finished last month.

Inter Miami celebrated Argentine sensation Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or on Friday, although they lost 2-1 to MLS rivals New York City FC in their friendly match to commemorate the accomplishment.

On a joyous evening that commenced with Messi expressing gratitude to the supporters for the warm reception he had gotten in Florida, the loss, in a game between two teams who were well out of the running for the MLS championship, was really a minor detail.

The DRV PNK stadium was almost full of supporters, many of whom were yelling “Messi! Messi!” in chorus, even though the team’s MLS season finished last month.

After holding the trophy he had won in Paris one month earlier, Messi stated, “Thank you for being here, for this beautiful tribute.” Even though I haven’t been here long, it feels like I have.

“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone in Miami—not just those who are present, but the entire city—for the care my family and I have received during this difficult period.

“They made me feel very welcome and showered me with affection.”

Arriving to Inter Miami in July, the 36-year-old superstar was greeted with a rousing welcome. In August, he led the struggling team to victory in a Leagues Cup competition including clubs from the Mexican and MLS leagues.

He made his Miami debut in the MLS regular season on August 26 as a second-half substitute. In Inter’s 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, he scored the game’s only goal to end an 11-game losing skid.

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However, Messi’s late-season leg injury prevented him from leading Miami from the league basement to the MLS Cup playoffs.

Nevertheless, he has energised the American league, as evidenced by the surge in jersey sales, MLS season pass viewing subscription purchases, and ticket sales at every Miami game.

Late in Friday’s game, the crowd was yelling for him once more, but he was unable to equalise as NYCFC prevailed thanks to goals from Talles Magno and Julian Fernandez.

Messi’s most recent Ballon d’Or honours accomplishments made long before he joined the Major League Soccer (MLS), including his remarkable efforts during the World Cup in Qatar last year, where he scored seven goals and was awarded the competition’s best player while leading Argentina to victory.

“I had no doubt that we would enjoy ourselves and have a great time, and now I even have less doubts that next year will be even better,” he remarked.

AFP