Will Smith Shares Special Moment with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami Season Opener
Hollywood star Will Smith was spotted in the front row as Lionel Messi kicked off his MLS season in style, delivering a stellar performance in Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at the newly revamped Chase Stadium.
Smith, invited by longtime friend and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, attended the match alongside several A-list guests. He was visibly thrilled to witness Messi in action, even calling the experience “CRAZY!!” on Instagram. He posted photos with both Messi and Beckham, congratulating the Argentine legend on the win and thanking Beckham for the unforgettable experience.
One heartwarming moment came at halftime, when Messi stopped on his way to the locker room to hug Smith—a gesture that went viral and gave fans goosebumps.
On the pitch, Messi lived up to his “GOAT” status, assisting Robert Taylor for the first goal and playing a key role in the second, scored by Diego Gomez after a quick combination with Luis Suárez. The Argentine magician also came close to scoring, hitting the crossbar from a corner and having a free-kick cleared off the line.
After the match, coach Gerardo Martino praised Messi’s performance, noting his sharpness, speed, and unique ability to turn even distant plays into dangerous chances.
As Inter Miami chase their first-ever MLS Cup, Messi and his former Barcelona teammates—Suárez, Alba, and Busquets—have already raised expectations after last season’s Leagues Cup triumph.
