From one Argentinian to another, I’d like to formally welcome Lionel Messi to South Florida. Being from the same hometown as the greatest soccer player of our time, I grew up watching Messi on TV blow past his opponents unlike nobody else. Whether he was playing for Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario or as a teen in Barcelona, his quick moves and unbelievable shots to the net would make anyone a fan of his team – even if soccer wasn’t their thing. But if you’re from South America, soccer is in your blood. It’s hard to explain the effect soccer has on our lives, bringing people to tears or rage at every match. That indescribable feeling further escalates every four years as we all sit around with family, friends and strangers screaming at our TVs watching the team at the World Cup. It’s terrifying, yet electric. Ask my husband the first time he watched the World Cup with a house full of Argentinians and see what he says. Although he now too is front and center rooting with us.
On December 18, 2022, Messi got it all. After failing to win the World Cup title with Argentina’s national team for many years, he beat a competitive France franchise 4-2 in extra time. I cried, as did a whole country. Not only were we at the top of the world, but you also felt happy that Messi finally got what he had so hard fought for. And now having everything he could have ever dreamt of, Messi was ready for his next challenge… Enter Major League Soccer.
While it’s been a popular sport in South America and Europe, the U.S. has never shared the same love and passion for the game, but it takes one person to change that sentiment. As Messi prepared for his next phase in life post PSG, Inter Miami – who mind you had been trying to bring him to South Florida for 3-4 years, convinced him it was time. Earlier in the summer, David Beckham and team announced the GOAT was coming to Miami for a whopping $50-60 million a year, and just like that, MLS became a thing in the U.S.
So, whether you’ve been a soccer fan or not, you ought to watch at least one game to see what many of his fans rave about. And just maybe, you’ll soon become a soccer aficionado and be screaming at your TV the next time Messi scores a goal too.
