The Coldest Night in Lionel Messi’s Career
On Wednesday, Lionel Messi faced one of the most challenging conditions of his illustrious career: a bone-chilling 3F (-16C) night in Kansas City. The temperature at kickoff was just a few degrees warmer, and by the end of the match, it had dropped to near 0F (-17C). This was the coldest game Messi has ever played at the senior level, pushing the boundaries of what even the world’s best player can endure.
A Silly Question, Once Again
The question, often turned into a cliche meme, echoes Andy Gray’s old comment: "Sure, Lionel Messi is an all-time great. But can he do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke?" This question has always been absurd, given Messi’s numerous performances in adverse weather conditions. Compilations of Messi’s magic on rainy nights in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere prove that he can indeed excel in any weather. However, the extreme cold in Kansas City offered a fresh test of this tired trope.
Messi’s Magic in the Cold
Despite the frigid conditions, Messi delivered a moment of pure brilliance. In the second half, he settled a high ball while surrounded by defenders, skillfully maneuvered past them with his signature hypnotic control, and finished with a precise shot at an acute angle, scoring the game’s only goal. Inter Miami now takes a 1-0 lead back to Fort Lauderdale for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, Messi’s former teammate, summed it up: "For the people who know him, it’s normal. He does goals like this all the time."
The Human Side of the Story
The extreme cold took a visible toll on the players and everyone involved. Most players wore fleece neck gaiters, and some pulled them up over their heads for extra warmth. Mascherano, who started the game hatless with a vest and undershirt, was seen bundling up in a gaiter, hat, jacket, and overcoat by the midway point of the first half. At one point, Messi was shown running to the sideline to have new hand warmers inserted into his gloves. Mascherano’s comments reflected the inhumane conditions: “After 10 minutes [the players] couldn’t feel their hands or their feet … I’m very proud of them. It was impossible to play in these conditions. It’s inhumane.”
A Familiar Pattern in American Soccer
This is not the first time that extreme weather has affected American soccer. In recent years, early-season games in cold-weather locations have drawn the ire of coaches and players. Last year, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo called a snowstorm game against Real Salt Lake an "absolute joke," later describing it as "one of the worst professional sporting events I’ve ever seen." This year, LAFC faced Colorado in similarly harsh conditions, with a 7F kickoff temperature. The US men’s national team has also faced brutal conditions, such as the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Honduras in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where the temperature was 3F with a -15F wind chill. Bruce Arena, then coach of the New England Revolution, even returned from national team duty with frostbite.
Messi’s Impact on the Dialogue
Despite the challenges, Messi once again demonstrated his exceptional abilities. His performance in such extreme conditions laid waste to the idea that the unique challenges of playing in the United States could trip up even the world’s best. Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes acknowledged, “There is one guy that can turn the game over and he did. It’s what he does to the whole world, anyone who plays against him.” Indeed, wherever he plays and whatever the weather, Messi continues to redefine what is possible in the beautiful game.
