Messi ‘never imagined’ he would achieve what he has
Lionel Messi says his dream was only ever to be a professional, and thanked God for all his success
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Soccer fans in San Jose congregated outside Inter Miami’s team hotel this week to catch a glimpse of legendary star Lionel Messi, and the Argentine World Cup champion did not disappoint.
Messi waved to fans from his hotel balcony before jumping on a bus for training sessions this week in Northern California. Inter Miami plays the San Jose Earthquakes Wednesday night at PayPal Park.
This is Messi’s first time in the Bay Area since August 2009, when he starred for Barcelona and played a friendly against Chivas at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. It’s also the last time Inter Miami will be on the West Coast during the 2025 MLS regular season.
So fans want to know, “Is Messi playing today in San Jose?”
Messi is healthy, rested and in the starting lineup. He scored a goal in each of his last two matches, but Inter Miami has lost four of its last five matches across all competitions – outscored 14-9 during that stretch.
Messi’s firepower will be needed as Inter Miami aims to return to its winning ways against the Earthquakes, who lead MLS with 26 goals scored this season.
Here’s what you need to know about the game, and stay tuned for live updates by USA TODAY Sports for the San Jose vs. Inter Miami match tonight:
Messi to Baltasar Rodriguez to Tadeo Allende, and Inter Miami has evened the score again. Allende has scored two goals with superb finishes on assists from teammates, this one from Rodriguez – the 21-year-old Argentine making his MLS debut.
Lionel Messi had a chance to end the first half with an exclamation point, but his free kick trailed right off the net before the halftime whistle. The chance was created when San Jose’s Vitor Costa was shown a yellow card for fouling Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende.
San Jose’s Ian Harkes scored with a left boot in first-half extra time (45’+4’), and Inter Miami finds itself in a deficit yet again.
Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende has delivered a great finish to a goal to tie this match, but it doesn’t happen without their left-footed superstars. Lionel Messi found Jordi Alba streaking down the left side, and Alba delivered a perfect cross into the box for Allende to finish in the 44th minute. It’s the first goal by Allende since March 9.
Inter Miami has picked up the intensity offensively, with Messi even sending a header on goal, but he’s unable to convert in the 40th minute.
Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi also missed an opportunity to score in front of the net, with a poor finish on a pass from Tadeo Allende, one minute later.
San Jose rookie Beau Leroux has scored in the 37th minute to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead against Inter Miami after a sequence with zero defensive pressure.
Cristian Arango, San Jose’s leading goal scorer with eight this season, is walking off the pitch in the 26th minute after an apparent injury.
Arango is walking gingerly after grabbing the back of his left leg. San Jose will likely make a substitution.
Messi dribbled down the pitch with a head of steam, dropped a pass off to Jordi Alba, and was unable to convert Alba’s pass back to him at the net.
Messi was just a bit wide left of the goal during the sequence in the 18th minute.
San Jose’s Cristian Arango has scored in the third minute in response, taking advantage of a poor pass by Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari to a teammate in the penalty area.
So much for that great start by Inter Miami.
Inter Miami is on the board – before the first minute even passed in the game.
Jordi Alba sent a floater into the box, and defender Maxi Falcon scored on a header about 30 seconds into the match.
Quite a start for a club that has lost four of its last five matches in all competitions.
The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Yes, Messi was listed as a starter in Inter Miami’s lineup before the match.
The match begins at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT; 11:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Here’s video of Messi waving to fans outside Inter Miami’s team hotel this week in San Jose.
Messi scores goals vs. Minnesota and New York Red Bulls
Messi has scored a goal in each of his last two matches: A 4-1 win May 3 against the New York Red Bulls, and in a 4-1 loss May 10 to Minnesota United.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham took offense to two social media posts made by Minnesota United after their match last week.
“Pink phony club” was the caption used by Minnesota with a photo of players celebrating the 4-1 win — in which star Lionel Messi scored the only goal for Inter Miami.
“Show a little respect @mnufc be elegant in triumph,” Beckham said in a comment on the post.
First-year Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said: “We must know how to live with criticism, and how to benefit from it. There is constructive criticism that allows you to see things and make you think. And there is some that is not valuable, simply attack for the sake of attacking. In my case, I am used to it and most of the players also must live with this.”
Luis Suarez won’t play vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Messi will be missing his longtime running mate Luis Suarez — the Uruguayan star did not travel with the club for their two-game road trip due to personal reasons. It’s unclear whether veteran forward Fafa Picault will play against San Jose. He did not play against Minnesota due to a migraine.
- May 18: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City, 7 p.m. ET
- May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
- May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
- May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
Messi, Inter Miami schedule for Club World Cup
- June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Alhy, 8 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
- June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
- June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
