While Lionel Messi climbed to the top of world football and has established himself as the The greatest player that sport has ever seena noisy minority of skeptics, most of the British, ask a silly question: Of course, Messi could dazzle a sunny Saturday afternoon in Spain, but Can he do it on a cold and rainy night in Stoke?
Over the years, he turned into a meme. When Messi moved to Miami, he turned into American variations. And this week, as Snow and temperatures below zero approached Kansas CityHe took a new life: Could Messi do it on an icy night in kansas?
The final answer came Wednesday evening: yes.
With her body sheathed in black, and hand heaters in her gloves, and wind cooling of less than 8 degrees biting his cheeks, Messi scored the only goal of a Knockout-Out match at the back of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Sporting KC.
At the start of the second half, he skillfully dropped on his chest, moved away from defenders of Kansas City and finished with his right foot, inside the distant post.
He was not at his best for 90 minutes – but no one was. The temperature was 4 degrees Fahrenheit at the start. The conditions were so miserable that, despite the stars exposed, the stands of the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, were half empty. Many fans had been skeptical that Messi even presented himself, because, well, why he will be in Miami risking the goat with a full season in front of them?
But to introduce yourself is exactly what Messi has done.
He and his teammates at Inter Miami jumped on a plane on Wednesday morning; they Landed in swollen parkas and winter hatsPrepared for the type of cold Messi had never known.
And, in one of the coldest football matches on American soil ever recorded, with all the heavy breaths visible and lit by spotlights, with ice cubes for the beard of certain players, they beat the sport 1- 0. They will return to Miami next week for the return match with an advantage.
And Messi?
In the 3rd year at Inter Miami, he is being executed, probably towards Another MVP.
He endured a cracking challenge in two minutes.
He pulled the strings, as he always does.
He only needed 56 minutes to assure the world that, yes, he can do his thing anywhere. Even at 37. Even in an icy night in kansas.
