Murals, Flags and Beef Dishes - Messi Mania Takes Hold in Miami

Lionel Messi's World Cup goal roadshow continued with his seventh of the tournament for Argentina against Cape Verde, delighting fans in Miami who came to see their hero.

When Lionel Messi set foot in Miami, the city seemed to come alive with a new energy. From the airport to the stadium, giant murals of the Argentine star and fluttering flags of Argentina were everywhere. Fans clad in blue-and-white striped jerseys chanted Messi's name, turning the city into a carnival of South American football. Before the match, the area outside the stadium was packed. Vendors sold Messi-themed merchandise, from T-shirts to scarves. Local restaurants introduced special beef dishes to cater to Argentine fans. One fan from Buenos Aires said excitedly, "We traveled halfway across the world to see Messi. It feels amazing!" Messi did not disappoint. In the 34th minute, he received a pass from a teammate and calmly slotted the ball into the net, making it 2-0. It was his seventh goal of the tournament, keeping him atop the scoring charts. After scoring, Messi pointed to the sky and then embraced his teammates. The stands erupted in deafening cheers, with camera flashes flickering like stars. Although the friendly match was of little consequence, every touch of the ball by Messi drew screams. In the second half, he hit the crossbar with a brilliant free kick, narrowly missing a second goal. Coach Scaloni praised him after the match: "Messi's form is incredible. He remains the soul of the team." The Miami heat did not dampen the fans' enthusiasm. After the game, many lingered outside the players' tunnel, waiting for Messi's autograph. A local fan said, "I've never seen anything like this. Messi has made the whole city crazy." Messi's arrival not only ignited fan passion but also boosted the local economy. Hotel occupancy rates soared, and flights were fully booked. The Miami tourism bureau estimated that the friendly match would bring tens of millions of dollars in revenue to the city. The Messi effect is extending from the pitch to the business world. For Argentina, the victory was an important warm-up before the World Cup. Messi's resurgence has boosted the team's confidence. Tougher opponents lie ahead, but with Messi, anything is possible. The Miami night belonged to football, and to Messi.

Murals, Flags and Beef Dishes - Messi Mania Takes Hold in Miami

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