Game recognize game. Across sports, the legends typically have respect for one another, whether it’s basketball, football, tennis, soccer or whatever.
That was true Friday night, when the stars turned out for Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer debut for Inter Miami CF. A hero in last winter’s World Cup, and an all-time legendary goal-scorer, the 36-year-old Argentine forward signed with Inter Miami in June. He arrived in Florida earlier this month, and – after a trip to Publix for some cereal and other necessities – Messi is finally suiting up for his new club.
Some of sport’s biggest stars and other Hollywood celebrities turned out for the game, despite Messi not being in the starting lineup for a Leagues Cup match against Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
Messi and NBA superstar LeBron James shared a pregame hug before the first kick.
GOAT reunion 🐐🐐🤝
(Via @MLS)
pic.twitter.com/WRBk4oQsVK— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
Here are the celebrities who showed up.