Selena Gomez, Prince Harry, and an A-list crowd witnessed a spectacular showdown between Lionel Messi and Inter Miami against reigning MLS champions LAFC. Despite Messi not finding the net for the second consecutive game, his magical assists were the stars of the night.
The match, held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, ended with a decisive 3-1 victory for Inter Miami. Messi’s exquisite left-footed passes in the second half led to two crucial goals, one by his former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba in the 51st minute and another by young talent Leo Campana in the 83rd minute. Facu Farias had earlier put Inter Miami on the scoreboard in the 18th minute.
After the match, Messi expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It was a nice test for us to see where we are, what we were capable of,” and praised the team’s growth.
Inter Miami, undefeated since Messi’s arrival in late July, has claimed victory in the Leagues Cup final and will compete for another title in the U.S. Open Cup final on Sept. 26. However, in the MLS playoff race, they face a challenge, currently eight points behind ninth-place D.C. United in the Eastern Conference.
While LAFC dominated in terms of shots and shots on goal, they only managed to find the net in the 90th minute with Ryan Hollingshead’s header. Messi’s departure from international duty with Argentina might impact Inter Miami’s upcoming matches.
During the game, a Messi fan ran onto the pitch, but security quickly intervened, preventing any disruption. Messi also met actor Owen Wilson on the pitch after the match, where fans swarmed him for autographs.
In the midst of Messi Mania, an array of celebrities attended the match, including LeBron James, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Will Ferrell.
Inter Miami’s victory was a significant achievement, as LAFC had previously beaten their last four opponents at home with an astonishing goal difference of 18-1. The win provided a confidence boost, but Inter Miami remains focused on their playoff push.
Messi’s presence alone made the match a spectacle, and despite not scoring, his impact was undeniable. The match displayed his exceptional playmaking skills, making it a memorable night for fans and celebrities alike.
As Messi heads off for international duty, Inter Miami will look to maintain their momentum and secure a playoff spot in the challenging MLS Eastern Conference.