Inter Miami defeated Sunday reigning MLS champions Los Angeles FC 3-1 as once again Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi took the spotlight, providing two assists to his teammates, including a particularly exquisite one to Jordi Alba. Meanwhile, an ensemble of A-listers graced the stands, including Prince Harry, LeBron James, Leonardo DiCaprio, singer and actress Selena Gomez and Hollywood actor Owen Wilson.
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Miami took the lead in the 14th minute after Tomas Aviles expertly cut through the LAFC rearguard to find Facundo Farias who drove the ball low and past John McCarthy.
After squandering several attempts on goal, LAFC paid handsomely for its lack of clinical finishing in the 51st minute. Miami's three summer signings, all Barcelona FC royalty, linked up fantastically to put on a dazzling show.
Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets ran the show from center field, delivering a pinpoint pass to Lionel Messi. The Argentine then spotted Jordi Alba's overlapping run and sent a masterful left-footed pass which the Spaniard buried deep in the back of the net.
Ryan Hollingshead's deft glancing header from a corner in the 90th minute spared LAFC some blushes but was far from enough for the hosts against the high-flying team from Florida. Despite maintaining their third-spot ranking in the Western Conference and being well-positioned for the playoffs, they received a valuable lesson in finishing.
Throughout the second half, Miami held firm control of the game and secured the victory in the 83rd minute. Lionel Messi started a dazzling run from midfield, deftly passing the ball to Campana on the wing. Campana exhibited impeccable precision with a beautifully curling finish, leaving no room for error.
One cannot ignore the Messi Mania that has taken Miami by storm. The moment you touch down in the city, you're instantly caught up in the frenzy. Helicopters hovering above Inter Miami's training sessions, the skyrocketing ticket prices for the team's games, and most notably, the vibrant pink hue that has engulfed the city. Wherever you go, you encounter that bright pink, the trendiest color in Miami today.
It's astonishing to think that just a few weeks ago, only a handful showed interest in this modest football team, one that struggled to capture the hearts of the locals and couldn't produce results on the field.
The relentless pursuit for a pink jersey
The hunt for this elusive treasure is a mission impossible nowadays in the sunny city. The coveted pink jersey adorned with Messi's name and the number 10 on the back has long been sold out, with no trace of it in any store, not even in the team's alternate colors. Supplies have completely vanished, and production simply can't keep up. The Americans, true to their nature, continue their pre-game jersey purchases, with merchandise scheduled to arrive months in advance. If you desire a Messi jersey, be prepared to wait for a grueling three months.
The sole option left is to brace oneself for game day, standing in line with dozens of fervent fans at the stadium's merchandise store, all in pursuit of the privilege of forking over more than $200 for a jersey – a sum equivalent to a week's worth of groceries for an entire family.
A $200 jersey is just the beginning of the financial commitment when attending an Inter Miami game. "I used to bring the kids to the team's games and paid $100 for all the tickets combined," says one mother who regularly brings her children. "Today, it's already over $100 per person, and that's considered a low price because we buy in a special group sale."
A quick check on the team's website reveals tickets ranging from $150 to $3,000 for front-row seats. That's if you can find tickets at all. Otherwise, you'll have to resort to scalpers who offer considerably higher prices. It's an outrageous leap, all thanks to Messi. Before he arrived in Miami, no one ever dreamed of paying so much to attend the team's games.