As the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup continues to find its identity, one thing became undeniably clear in Atlanta: Lionel Messi isn’t just a player in the tournament — he is the tournament. On a humid Thursday afternoon, 31,783 fans came not just to see Inter Miami or FC Porto, but to witness a living legend at work. And as always, Messi delivered.
A stage set for one man
There’s an old saying in football: no player is bigger than the club. But what happens when a player’s presence eclipses not just the club, but the tournament itself? That question hung in the humid air of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Lionel Messi walked out ahead of Inter Miami’s clash with FC Porto in Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup. The stadium wasn’t at full capacity, but it sounded like it. Fans had come from Louisiana, Charleston, Buffalo, Puerto Rico — even as far as Dublin — all for a glimpse of the 37-year-old Argentine.
Thirty minutes before kickoff, when Messi emerged for warm-ups, the roar of the crowd betrayed the true reason for their presence. Whether they admitted it or not, they were here for him — not the football, not the tournament, not even Inter Miami.
An American showpiece with a European legend
The Club World Cup, restructured and expanded to 32 teams, is FIFA’s latest project — one that its president Gianni Infantino says will deliver “63 Super Bowls in one month.” The format and presentation already reflect that American flair: players walking out individually to cheers, dramatic intros, and theatrics designed to sell stars more than systems.
And in Messi, FIFA struck gold. Every touch of the ball by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was met with awe. “Me-ssi!” chants echoed through the stadium. Though he turns 38 in just a few days, the love remains unshakable — bordering on devotional. But for 45 minutes, the script wasn’t cooperating.
From silence to symphony
Inter Miami trailed at halftime, courtesy of an early penalty from Porto’s Samu Aghehowa. Messi, caught in the middle of the pitch, stood motionless for 10 seconds after the goal, hands on hips. A still life of frustration.
But Inter Miami struck back quickly after the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Telasco Segovia equalized with a sharp finish. And seven minutes later, it was time. Messi was fouled just outside the box — a familiar scene. As he stepped up to take the free kick, the crowd leaned forward collectively, as if sensing what was coming. And like a scene from a film we’ve all seen before, Messi delivered: a curling strike into the top corner that left goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos frozen.
It was his 50th goal for Inter Miami. It was also the winner, securing the first-ever competitive victory by a CONCACAF team over a European side. A moment of history in a match that might have been forgotten — had Messi not written himself into its script.
More than just a game
After the match, Portuguese defender José Fonte summed it up best: “Touched by God, isn’t he? Incredible. What a player.” The performance wasn’t just a match-winner; it was a reminder of Messi’s enduring magic. His actions — his calm, his precision, his timing — all communicated what words no longer need to. As teammate Fafà Picault told CNN Sports afterward, “Sometimes, it’s not always said with words… but there’s a lot more than just talking that can show signs of leadership.” Indeed, it was leadership by example, something that no pre-match speech or locker room tactic could replicate.
The tournament Messi made matter
Inter Miami’s path to this Club World Cup hasn’t been straightforward. The team didn’t qualify by winning the MLS Cup but through the Supporters’ Shield — awarded for the best regular season record. A technicality, some would argue, and one that raised eyebrows when teams like LA Galaxy were left out of the invitation.
And yet, it’s hard to argue with results. The opening game of the tournament in Miami drew over 60,000 fans. In Atlanta, over 30,000 showed up on a weekday. The constant: Lionel Messi. Inter Miami is still a young franchise, co-owned by another global icon, David Beckham. Beckham, who once brought worldwide attention to MLS as a player, is now seeing his club draw the same with Messi. One wonders if he watched Thursday’s match with pride — or a touch of envy, given his former club LA Galaxy is sitting this tournament out.
Still, the real winner is the tournament itself. The Club World Cup, still battling for legitimacy and public attention, finally has its storyline. Not a rivalry. Not a title race. Just one man, reminding the world that greatness doesn’t fade. It simply adapts.
A question of legacy: What does it mean when a player becomes bigger than the event meant to contain him?
Lionel Messi has won everything there is to win — with Barcelona, with PSG, with Argentina. But in the twilight of his career, he’s still defining moments, still bringing tens of thousands to their feet, still making headlines not for retirement rumors, but for last-minute winners.
As the Club World Cup looks to cement itself as a staple of global football, it may find that its early chapters are written in Messi’s script — his goals, his free kicks, his aura. He may not win the tournament. He may not even play every minute of it. But in Atlanta, Messi made it clear: this may be FIFA’s competition, but it’s his stage.
