Messi Mesmerizes Tampa Bay Community

By Joey Johnston 

Regardless of how you classify Friday night’s Florida Derby — either a soccer friendly, an exhibition or a preseason game — one thing became apparent at Raymond James Stadium.

Somewhere at the intersection of sports and celebrity, as Orlando City SC matched up against Major League Soccer rival Inter Miami CF, it was an extraordinary experience.

When Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, arguably the finest soccer player ever, emerged from Ray-Jay’s southwest tunnel, someone draped a blue-and-white Argentinian flag over the railing. Messi nodded, then reached up to touch the flag. The fan quickly pulled back the flag, folding it tightly, then hugging it close to his heart as if a rare treasure had been discovered. 

A few fans — males and females alike — began weeping at the sight of Messi.

Everywhere you looked, there were pink shirts or jerseys, adorned by Messi 10.

Ali Alazzawi, a 15-year-old student at Wharton High School, tried to snap photos on his camera phone, but couldn’t stop jumping up and down.

“Oh my gosh … oh my gosh … it’s really him,’’ Alazzawi said. “This is like a dream. But it’s real. Oh my gosh.’’

EVENT PHOTOS

There are only a few athletes ever who would illicit such a reaction — we’re talking about a short list that includes Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, LeBron James, and Pele (who had a similarly spectacular soccer appearance at the old Tampa Stadium in 1976) — so what actually happened on the pitch seemed incidental. Just the ability to say you were actually there on Valentine’s Day 2025, that’s the enduring value. 

For the record, it was an ultra-entertaining match that went down to the wire. In the third minute of extra time, Inter Miami’s Rafa Picault rifled in a close-range rebound shot that forged a 2-2 tie, delighting the crowd of 42,017, the largest to ever witness a soccer event at Ray-Jay. 

Messi did his part, too. Every time he touched the ball, there were chants of “Mess-see! Mess-see! Mess-see!’’ He had a game-high six shots and two prime scoring opportunities, including a one-on-one chance in the box late in the first half. Messi shimmied to draw in Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, then attempted to flick a left-footed scoop shot over his head. Gallese stopped the shot by quickly raising his left arm and palming the ball, one-handed.

Messi shook his head in disbelief, then smiled.

Messi played 75 minutes — a generous display — before exiting to a thunderous ovation. During his initial entrance and his exit, Messi waved all around and acknowledged the crowd. 

Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission that attracted the event, said the crowd was “incredible.’’ Higgins shared that about 40-percent of the crowd was from out of town. Tickets were purchased by fans in all 50 states and 30 different countries (the furthest being Australia).

“And while the tourism aspect of this is great, you can’t put a price tag on the opportunity for kids in our community to have a chance to see the greatest of all time with their own eyes. Messi puts us on a global stage, he gives us a strong infusion financially, but the intangibles for the next generation are even stronger. This is an event that will be talked about by our hometown for years.”

Walking around the Ray-Jay concourse, whether it was the south end zone or the pirate-ship side, you could hear multiple languages being spoken. Whenever Messi gained possession, there was a palpable anticipation and buzz that rushed through the stands.

German Rodriguez, a Colombian, and his wife Vanessa, a Venezuelan, brought their children Adan (8) and April (celebrating her seventh birthday).

“We wanted them to see Messi,’’ Rodriguez said. “He’s obviously the greatest to ever do this, but what I love is how selfless and humble he seems to be. We know people who live near to him in Miami. They say you might see him at Publix. I admire him … and for more than his soccer ability.’’

The comments were similar from fans of all shapes, sizes, and age groups.

Spring Hill’s Jan Gies: “He plays such a beautiful game.’’ 

Englewood’s Jon Wasluk, accompanied by his 17-year-old daughter Nina: “You can’t look away because you might miss something.’’ 

Betty Torbert, a 72-year-old grandmother of three from Atlanta: “Seeing him on television is one thing, but being here to be part of this is such a thrill.’’ 

The coaches from both sides were appreciative of the memorable environment in their final tuneup for the MLS regular season.

“It was really good to come here to Tampa and see this many people here in the stadium,’’ Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said. “It shows how much this sport has grown in America.

“We were just trying to play our game, but it’s not a secret that we’re playing against the best of the world (Messi). There are some feelings you can hide, but our players are competitors. This was a very good test.’ 

The players agreed.

“This crowd motivated everyone to (play) a good game,’’ Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta said. “Even though it’s an exhibition game, everyone was trying to do their best.’’

“It was definitely one of the best crowds we’ve had here in the U.S. and I was excited to be out here on the other side of Florida,’’ Inter Miami forward Leonardo Afonso said. “Every morning when I drive to training, I still have to pinch myself and realize I’m going to train with Messi. That’s what the people saw tonight. He’s just the best player in history. There’s not much else to say.’’

It wasn’t so much what anyone said, it was what everyone felt during a memorable display of soccer.

What a magical night.