ATLANTA – The chants echoed throughout Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Inter Miami’s superstar No. 10 walked the pitch after scoring the winner against Porto on Thursday.

“Messi! Messi! Messi!” 

The vast majority of the 30,000-plus fans in attendance stood and worshipped their football idol. Their arms raised, men, women and children in pink Miami shirts, Barcelona colors and Argentina national team kits bowed their heads in awe. Their hero had delivered an improbable and unprecedented win for an MLS team over a European opponent in official competition.

Lionel Messi’s free kick from just outside the Porto penalty area in the 54th minute provided this Club World Cup with its first magical moment. Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and gave this controversial tournament something even its most ardent detractors could celebrate. And that’s precisely why FIFA president Gianni Infantino made sure to include Miami in the tournament at all costs. Miami took the tournament’s host slot despite only claiming the MLS’ Supporters’ Shield trophy in 2024.

That award is given to the team that earns the most points over the course of an MLS regular season, and while that is enough to be crowned champion in most leagues around the world, America’s first division ends with a playoff format – one that Miami crashed out of in the first round last season. The Supporters’ Shield has also lost its prestige, a byproduct of the postseason that can be harsh even on the strongest teams.

So, Miami’s inclusion in the Club World Cup came with an asterisk, but Miami’s participation meant that Messi would be a must-see attraction for as long as his side stayed alive.

There are plenty of global football stars in the U.S. this summer, and some massive football brands, too. But even at 37 (and turning 38 next week), and having lost the burst that made him nearly unstoppable during his peak Barcelona years, Messi can still carry a tournament on his own.

FIFA needed the big European clubs to arrive on U.S. shores willing to compete this summer. And FIFA needed a moment like the one we witnessed on Thursday to justify Miami’s contentious invitation. At a tournament without Cristiano Ronaldo or Lamine Yamal, and with Kylian Mbappé’s availability for Real Madrid in question, the old hand of Messi was needed to hold up a competition in dire need of a spark.

Messi answered the call in typical fashion on Thursday. A quiet first half in which the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner coasted in and out of midfield resulted in few highlights for Miami’s No. 10. Porto took the lead when Samuel Aghehowa converted from the penalty spot in the eighth minute. At that moment, it appeared as if the football gods would not be in Messi’s corner.

After all, Miami’s sometimes-pitiful form in MLS play this season did little to inspire any hope that the club would remain alive after two matches. A resounding equalizer from Venezuelan international Telasco Segovia two minutes into the second half set the stage for what would be a remarkable result for Miami. When Chilean referee Cristián Marcelo Garay blew his whistle after Messi fell to ground near Porto’s 18, there was no doubt what would come next.

“Whenever there’s a free kick from that close, there’s always a chance — especially with a player like Leo, who can strike the ball to the keeper’s side or over the wall,” said Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets. “We tried to block the keeper’s vision a bit, and then the rest took care of itself.”

Inside the press tribune, scores of reporters took out their phones and began to record as Messi lined up the free kick. When one has the opportunity to watch him play, there’s always a hope that something memorable will occur. Nearly two years ago, Messi and Miami were in a similar situation. Miami was facing Mexican side Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup, a concocted tournament that pits MLS clubs against their regional rivals south of the U.S. border.

Tied 1-1, Messi hunched over the ball after earning a foul and then proceeded to casually place his free kick to the goalkeeper’s right just under the cross bar for a 95th-minute winner. That moment announced his U.S. arrival.

On Thursday, he let the world know that he can still change a game at any given moment.

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Messi scores a GORGEOUS free kick goal and @InterMiami are now leading 2-1 versus @FCPorto!

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“I saw that the (Porto) goalkeeper was standing slightly in the middle, being close to goal I knew it would be difficult to put it over the wall,” Messi told DAZN after the match. “I took advantage of the opening that the goalkeeper gave me. He was standing centrally and wasn’t covering his post and that’s where I went.”

Added Miami defender Marcelo Weigandt: “It was extraordinary. I was standing right behind him, and when I saw the ball take off with such power, I said, ‘That’s it.’ And well, honestly, it was a great goal. But we’re already used to this kind of thing.”

On the same day that Seattle Sounders lost 3-1 to Atlético Madrid, leaving the MLS club with slim hopes to advance, Miami’s win was a boon for the league.

“Maybe the rest of the world doesn’t really know what level the MLS is at,” Miami forward Fafa Picault said. “Maybe (people) still see (MLS) as being at the same level it was 20 years ago, but that’s no longer the case. There’s a lot of quality in the league and very good teams.”

“We’re very happy, obviously,” Messi said. “The entire team worked really hard today. It was a good performance. Not only did we defend well, but throughout the first half and after the 2-1, we possessed the ball well. Again, we’re happy because we ended the first match with a sour taste in our mouths. We felt we could’ve won that game, but of course we could’ve lost it too. (Al Ahly) had a penalty. It’s a very important win for us and we’ll celebrate it.”

FIFA knew that it would take heat after giving Miami a spot in the tournament, but even the naysayers understood what was at stake. It’s more than likely that Messi will not be an active player when the Club World Cup takes place four years from now. If Infantino wanted to ride the tidal wave of interest that Messi has created in the U.S., and boost a tournament that critics don’t believe in, he needed Miami in the competition. He needed Messi and he needed Messi to perform.

Miami remains alive heading into its final group match against Palmeiras. It’ll be another massive test for a Miami side that is prone to inconsistency. The Brazilian club has looked like the top team in the group and will aim to keep Messi and Miami from extending their stay.

Throughout Messi’s career, a phrase has been repeated by fans and pundits as a sign of reverence, especially after a game-winning performance. Messi. Siempre Messi. (It’s always Messi).

On Thursday in Atlanta, Porto understood exactly what that saying means.

Messi did it again.

Siempre Messi.

(Top photo: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters/Imagn Images)

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