Messi Shines in Frigid Conditions as Inter Miami Edges Sporting Kansas City

In a gripping encounter marked by bone-chilling temperatures, Inter Miami CF secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round. The match, held at Children’s Mercy Park on February 21, 2025, was played under extreme weather conditions that left players and coaches alike questioning the viability of competing in such frigid temperatures.

Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, did not hold back in his post-match assessment, labeling the conditions as “inhumane.” He expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, stating, “I think it’s impossible to play in these conditions. It is not human, you know, so I’m very proud because they gave me 100% with intensity, with a lot of attitude.” Mascherano’s sentiments were echoed by players who braved the freezing temperatures, which dipped as low as three degrees Fahrenheit by halftime, with a wind chill making it feel even colder.

The match had originally been postponed by a day due to severe winter storm warnings, but both teams took to the field despite the adverse weather. The kickoff at 7:00 PM CT saw the temperature plummet to five degrees Fahrenheit, setting the stage for a challenging night of soccer.

Amidst the harsh conditions, the spotlight shone brightly on Lionel Messi, who scored his first official goal of the year. The Argentine superstar connected beautifully with longtime teammate Sergio Busquets, finishing the play with a precise right-footed shot into the net. Mascherano praised Messi’s contribution, saying, “Fantastic [goal], I think maybe for the people that know him, it’s normal because he did things like this or goals like this 1,000 times, but we are very lucky to have him in our team.”

Despite the slick playing surface and the biting cold, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Sporting Kansas City’s head coach, Peter Vermes, commended his players for their defensive organization throughout the match. However, he acknowledged the game-changing ability of Messi: “There is one guy [Messi] that can turn the game over and he did,” Vermes noted, emphasizing the unique impact Messi has on any match.

As the tournament progresses, Sporting Kansas City faces an uphill battle in the second leg, needing to score at least twice to advance in regulation time. The next encounter is set for February 25, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Inter Miami will host Sporting Kansas City.

As fans eagerly await the rematch, one thing is clear: the clash between these two teams has set the stage for an exciting showdown, with Messi’s brilliance shining through even in the harshest of conditions.