Messi’s Emotional Camp Nou Visit Precedes Miami’s MLS Playoff Triumph
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi revealed an emotional return visit to Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou stadium, while leading Inter Miami to a crucial MLS playoff victory this weekend.
The Argentine legend, who departed Barcelona in 2021, shared on Instagram his nostalgic feelings about visiting his former home ground. “Last night I returned to a place I deeply miss. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” wrote the 38-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. He expressed hope for a proper farewell in the future, noting he “was never able to” say goodbye properly as a player.
On the field, Messi demonstrated his enduring brilliance by scoring twice and providing two assists in Inter Miami’s playoff victory. His performance helped secure a 2-1 series win in the Eastern Conference first round, advancing the team to face FC Cincinnati in the next round. The World Cup champion opened the scoring in the 10th minute and added another goal in the 39th, before setting up Allende for two goals in the 73rd and 76th minutes.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s exceptional work rate, particularly highlighting his pressing at age 38. “To see him press like that at 38 years old is crazy. We all know about Leo with the ball, but what happened with Leo without the ball today was impressive,” Mascherano remarked.
The victory was especially significant as it helped Miami avoid a third first-round elimination in four seasons, following exits to Atlanta last year and New York City in 2022. The team played without suspended striker Luis Suarez, who received a one-game ban for violent conduct in the previous match against Nashville.
In parallel playoff action, Minnesota United advanced past Seattle in a dramatic penalty shootout (7-6) following a 3-3 draw, while Cincinnati secured their spot by defeating Columbus 2-1 with Brazilian striker Brenner Souza scoring twice.
Looking ahead to the conference semifinal against Cincinnati, Mascherano acknowledged the challenge: “It’s going to be a very tough conference semifinal. We were below in the regular season but in the second leg we played here I was left with very good feelings.”
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