With every Lionel Messi set piece came a wave of anticipation Friday night at Commanders Field. Thousands of fans rose to their feet, phones and cameras at the ready. A murmur crescendoed. Bulbs flashed.
For the 51,713 who attended Argentina’s 4-1 win over Guatemala — the World Cup champions’ final tuneup before Copa América — the friendly in Landover, Md., was an exhibition of class as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner notched two goals and an assist while playing the full 90 minutes.
Messi fans flooded the parking lots hours before kickoff, donning the blue and white stripes of Argentina before taking in the 36-year-old forward’s first match in the D.C. area since he played for Barcelona in a 2017 friendly in Landover. Although Messi now plies his trade for MLS club Inter Miami, he sat out a March visit to Audi Field with a hamstring issue.
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Messi mania knew no age limit Friday: His allure drew everyone from toddlers and teens who only know Argentine eminence to octogenarians who suffered through the national team’s trophyless decades.
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“What makes me a Messi fan is just the inspiration that he has brought into the Argentine community and how it spreads around the world. He has been such a great influence, and I think he is an amazing role model for anybody.”
— Melina Mendez
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“Growing up in Argentina, we come together a lot. … [Messi] means unity. He loves his people.”
— Jeanette Evans
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“He is an idol. A legend. He is the best player in the world, ever.”
— Luca Ferrand
At a news conference Thursday, Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni had alleviated any concern about a Messi no-show and confirmed his captain would start. “If he can play the whole match,” Scaloni said in Spanish, “even better.”
That’s exactly what Messi did, five days after being limited to an appearance off the bench in a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Chicago. He was one of six players in the lineup who started Argentina’s triumph against France in the 2022 World Cup final, joining goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Otamendi, and midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. Three more — Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Di María and Julián Álvarez — came off the bench Friday.
Messi needed just 12 minutes to get on the score sheet, collecting an errant pass from Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen and tapping the ball into the empty net.
Saving his legs and picking his moments to accelerate, Messi set up Lautaro Martínez’s second goal of the night in the 66th minute. In the 77th, Messi doubled his own tally with a savvy chip over Hagen.
By the time the final whistle blew, Messi had dazzled the thousands who turned out for a glimpse of an all-time great.
“We’re very happy with the fans and all the Latin Americans who are excited that Argentina has won the World Cup,” Scaloni said of those who turned out to support La Albiceleste. “We’re very grateful.”
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About this story
Photos by Yutao Chen and Simon Bruty. Videos by Yutao Chen. Design and development by Yutao Chen. Reporting by Thomas Floyd and Yutao Chen. Photo editing by Toni Sandys. Design editing by Virginia Singarayar and Brian Gross. Copy editing by Michael Petre.