On Saturday night, excitement filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where an astounding 75,673 fans gathered for the MLS opening day. For the third consecutive year, they anticipated witnessing Lionel Messi, regarded as the greatest player of his era, take to the field.
What they sought was a spectacle.
What they got was disappointment.
Once again, Messi left Los Angeles without finding the back of the net.
This wasn’t how it was meant to unfold.
The atmosphere was electric as Inter Miami, the reigning MLS Cup champions, made their way into the stadium. Fans donned pink jerseys, an Argentine flag waved proudly, and excited children perched on their fathers’ shoulders, eager to share tales of seeing the soccer great.
Yet, soccer can be harsh without that special spark.
What Messi seems to miss the most right now is chemistry on the field.
In previous visits to Los Angeles, the narrative revolved around “Messi and his friends.” These players were vital; they were more than remnants of FC Barcelona’s past glory. They were the threads weaving together his genius.
You had Jordi Alba sprinting down the left, a dependable ally. Sergio Busquets masterfully controlled the pace like a chess master. And then there was Luis Suarez, who could read Messi’s intentions like a well-worn novel.
Those four didn’t just play alongside one another; they breathed the same rhythm, almost as if they were connected by a single nervous system.
But this time, two of those central figures were absent. Alba and Busquets have retired, leaving Messi to navigate the game largely on his own. Suarez, now more of a substitute, only appeared in the final ten minutes, which rendered Messi isolated, battling to create opportunities rather than receiving them seamlessly.
LAFC recognized this vulnerability.
Each time Messi had the ball, he was met by three defenders. Their strategy was relentless, aiming to stifle his game. They understood that one-on-one was not wise against him. Better to deny his passing lanes, push him into crowded spaces, and disrupt his rhythm.
By the end of the first half, Messi’s frustration was palpable. He misjudged movements and gestured in annoyance at teammates who took just a moment longer than he needed. That split second—0.5 seconds—can change everything. It might mean the difference between an exquisite shot into the upper corner or a blocked effort swallowed by a defender.
“Many players in the team are new, and it’s their first time playing together,” Inter Miami’s head coach Javier Mascherano mentioned in Spanish post-game. “Building chemistry is a gradual process, and while we lost, there were positives to take away.”
One of those positives was Tadeo Allende, who brought energy and urgency after coming on in the second half. He managed to find openings, allowing glimpses of Messi’s brilliance—sudden runs, a near-miss shot, and a free kick that just skimmed past the target. Each time Messi prepared to shoot, the crowd collectively held its breath, waiting for fireworks.
But those fireworks never ignited.
The key takeaway from Inter Miami’s season opener as defending champs is that while Messi remains remarkable, the team surrounding him might be more crucial than we’re willing to admit.
We took Alba’s timing for granted. We overlooked Busquets’ awareness of space. We believed that bringing in talented players from the same country and upgrading positions would somehow maintain the magic.
But soccer isn’t a video game where stats seamlessly transition.
Inside the Coliseum, the disconnect was clear. Each time Messi leaped for a ball, the stadium seemed to lean in, as if waiting for a moment of brilliance that could silence critics with just a flick of his foot.
Instead, LAFC capitalized on their chances.
Even amidst his challenges, Messi continues to captivate.
His movements create openings for others. A subtle fake pass cuts through defenses. The Coliseum erupted, not from a goal, but simply from his presence, shifting the tide of the game even when he was under duress.
This is the paradox of witnessing Messi in 2026. The wonder remains, but there’s a lack of urgency.
Los Angeles has yet to experience the full extent of Messi’s magic. But perhaps that moment is just on the horizon. Maybe a break on home turf for the World Cup could help rekindle that chemistry by fall. And if Inter Miami faces LAFC again, it might just be under the dazzling lights of a can’t-miss MLS Cup final.
