World Cup 2026: Messi and the 'Miami Miracle'

Three years ago, when Lionel Messi decided to leave European football to join Inter Miami (USA), many believed his peak career had entered its final chapter. But at 39, the Argentine superstar is not just reshaping the landscape of American soccer; he is also continuing to pen new chapters in World Cup 2026.

At 5:00 a.m. on July 4 (Vietnam time), Messi will return to the city of Miami – where he and his family call "home" – to lead Argentina against the "phenomenon" Cape Verde in the round of 32. This is a special match because the very familiar stage is witnessing one of the best World Cup performances in the career of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. After the group stage, Messi has scored 6 goals, bringing his total World Cup goals to 19, making him the all-time top scorer in the tournament's history. He also set an unprecedented milestone by scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches.

In the summer of 2023, Messi said goodbye to European football after fulfilling his dream of winning the World Cup in Qatar. At the time, many opinions held that moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) was simply a choice for his "retirement" phase. However, reality turned out completely opposite.

Inter Miami – a club founded in 2018 and co-owned by former star David Beckham – had never won any trophy before Messi arrived. In his very first season, alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi led the team to victory in the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring clubs from the US, Mexico, and Canada. In the following season, Inter Miami went on to win its first-ever MLS title, simultaneously becoming an attractive destination for a host of European stars.

Messi's impact in the US is not measured solely by goals. Coach Juan Pugin, who runs the Revo Soccer Academy in Doral, Florida, shared: "Since 2023, everything has changed completely. Everyone has become an Inter Miami fan." According to him, the number of children signing up for soccer lessons has surged since Messi arrived in Miami.

That pride is also strongly felt within the Argentine community in the US. Ms. Lily Diaz, 69, who has lived in Florida for 40 years after leaving Buenos Aires, said that watching Messi play right where she lives makes her feel closer to her homeland than ever. "Messi is Argentina's pride. He is not only a great player but also a role model in character," she shared after attending four Inter Miami matches at the stadium.

For many Argentine fans, this World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Mr. Johnny Fortes, 62, flew from Buenos Aires to the US to follow the team throughout the tournament. He revealed that he had to work extra as a night driver for nearly two years to save enough money. He shared: "I had to sacrifice a lot, but it was all worth it."

The passionate atmosphere also envelops the Buenos Aires Bakery restaurant – a familiar gathering spot for Argentines in Miami. To handle the overwhelming crowds, the restaurant charges a $15 entrance fee and requires each person to spend at least $20 if they want to watch the team's matches. Among the regulars is Julian Franco, a young man who moved from Catamarca province to Buffalo three months ago. Despite not having a match ticket, he decided to come to Miami to soak in the World Cup atmosphere. Julian said: "Every time I watch Messi play, it gives me a very special feeling. The most inspiring thing is that he has also experienced failure. That makes me believe that if I keep trying a little more, any dream can come true."

At age 39, when many players of his generation have retired, Lionel Messi remains the soul of the reigning world champions. And in the very city once seen as the final stop of his career, he now stands a chance to write yet another legendary chapter in World Cup history.