MIAMI, United States — Lionel Messi returns to familiar surroundings on Friday when Argentina face tournament surprise package Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continuing to rewrite football history.
Now 39, Messi will play in the city he has called home since joining Inter Miami in 2023, carrying Argentina’s hopes of retaining the World Cup title after a scintillating group-stage campaign.
The Argentina captain heads into the knockout fixture in sensational form, having scored six goals during the group stage to become the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 19 World Cup goals. The milestone also extended his record scoring streak in the tournament to seven consecutive matches.
The remarkable run has silenced doubts that emerged after Messi left European football following Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Many observers believed the move to Major League Soccer signalled the beginning of the twilight of his illustrious career. Instead, the forward has continued to dominate both at club and international level.
Miami Becomes Messi’s Second Home
Messi’s arrival transformed Inter Miami from one of Major League Soccer’s youngest clubs into a global football brand.
The club, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham and founded in 2018, had not won a major trophy before signing the Argentine superstar.
Alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi inspired Inter Miami to its first silverware by lifting the Leagues Cup before guiding the club to its maiden MLS title the following season.
His influence has extended well beyond results on the pitch.
Local football coach Juan Pugin said the arrival of the Argentine icon has fundamentally changed the sport’s popularity in South Florida.
“Messi marked a before and after for what soccer means here. From 2023 onwards, everyone became an Inter fan,” Pugin said.
“We’ve really noticed it at the academy too. Many more kids have signed up to play the sport.”
Fans Travel Across Continents
Miami has become a gathering point for thousands of Argentine supporters eager to witness what could be Messi’s final World Cup campaign.
Among them is Lily Diaz, a Buenos Aires native who has lived in Florida for four decades.
“It’s a huge thrill to have Messi come play for Argentina. It’s a source of pride; he’s a role model as both an athlete and a human being,” she said.
Johnny Fortes, another Argentine supporter, said he took on a second job to finance his journey to the United States.
“I work an office job, but for a year-and-a-half, I drove a car at night so I could afford to come to the United States,” he said.
“I made sacrifices, but it was worth it.”
Restaurants and fan zones across Miami have also experienced a surge in business as supporters gather to follow the defending champions.
At the popular Buenos Aires Bakery, organisers introduced an entry fee and minimum spend to manage overwhelming demand during Argentina’s matches.
Argentina Eye Quarter-Final Place
Standing in Argentina’s path are Cape Verde, one of the tournament’s biggest surprises after advancing to the knockout stage for the first time.
Despite entering the contest as overwhelming favourites, Argentina are expected to approach the match cautiously, with head coach Lionel Scaloni warning against underestimating emerging football nations.
Victory would move the reigning champions a step closer to defending the trophy they lifted in Qatar, while further enhancing Messi’s extraordinary World Cup legacy.
Already regarded as one of football’s greatest players, Messi now has the opportunity to add another historic chapter to a career defined by records, longevity and sustained excellence on the world’s biggest stage.