"Messi means everything to us. Absolutely everything. For Argentines, the equation is simple: our flag equals Messi," one fan in the crowd described to us emotionally. "Every day we pray to him at home. The whole family," said another.
In discussions outside the stadium, comparisons with Maradona inevitably came up. The older generation claims Maradona had more of that legendary wildness and courage, but in their eyes, the modern demigod Messi has taken football to a whole new level.
The main question during our Dallas shoot, however, was aimed at the local audience. Has Messi managed, with his mission at Inter Miami and his current campaign for the 2026 World Cup, to truly popularise football in the USA once and for all? Opinions differed dramatically...
"The moment he arrived in Miami, everything changed. The world of football in the USA took on a whole new dimension. I myself only became a soccer fan because of him," admitted one American.
But there were also sceptical voices. "America has too many of its own attractions. American football, basketball, baseball. This is just a temporary Messi-mania. As soon as the tournament ends and Messi leaves, football here will fade again," a staunch Dallas local insisted.
What Messi-mania is definitely good for, though, is business and profits. Street vendors selling Messi masks can barely keep up with demand. "Last night I sold a hundred, today another hundred," one of them said, pleased with his business, adding that the price is 10 dollars. "It's going great, I'm thrilled," he laughed into the camera.
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Argentina madness
When the stadium announcer declared Messi's record-breaking 18th World Cup goal, Texas Live! - the area next to the stadium with a giant screen - literally exploded. Tears of joy, fans jumping in ecstasy, and a mass chorus of celebratory chants showed that football can conquer even the land of cowboys.
Regardless of whether football in the USA survives the departure of its biggest star, one thing is certain: that night belonged to Messi. And we were there to witness it!
What did the celebrations of the Argentina fans sound and look like in Texas? What else do fans say about Messi's legacy? And how is Argentina's rewriting of history being celebrated?
World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.
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