Lionel Messi will begin his journey in Major League Soccer as a new player for Inter Miami CF. The 36-year-old had an outstanding career in Europe that has led him to be considered the best in football history
Although this will be the first time Messi plays outside the old continent, the Argentine star has visited the United States several times while playing for FC Barcelona and the Argentine National Team.
As if that were not enough, Messi has played in three of the 28 stadiums that will host this 2023 Leagues Cup: Red Bull Arena, Gillette Stadium, and Lumen Field.
How did Lionel Messi do in these three stadiums?
Lumen Field
Lumen Field, formerly CenturyLink Field, hosted Matchday 3 of the 2016 Copa América group stage. The game occurred on June 14, 2016, with a 3-0 Argentina win against Bolivia. There were no goals from the Argentine No. 10.
Gillette Stadium
Messi would score a goal as Argentina had a resounding 4-1 victory over Venezuela while playing at Gillette Stadium during the 2016 Copa América.
Red Bull Arena
Argentina played a friendly match before embarking on their trip to Qatar on September 27, 2022. Messi scored a brace in the 86th and 89th minute for a 3-0 win against Jamaica.
How many stadiums in the United States did Lionel Messi visit?
Red Bull Arena, Gillette Stadium, and Lumen Field were not the only venues that featured the Argentine star. Next is the list of other stadiums in which Messi has played in the U.S. and how he fared in these games.
Reliant Stadium
This was their first game on North American soil, ending with a 4-4 draw against Club América. In that friendly match held on August 10, 2006, Messi wore the No. 29 on his back and entered in the 62nd minute for Santi Ezquerro.
Giants Stadium
During Barcelona’s U.S. tour, the Blaugrana team faced Youri Djorkaeff's New York Red Bulls and crushed them 4-1 with a goal from the Argentine in the 60th minute.
Qualcomm Stadium
In his first visit with the Argentine national team shirt, Messi faced Mexico with a resounding 4-1 victory in San Diego on June 5, 2008. In addition, he scored a goal in the 18th minute that made the score 2-0.
MetLife Stadium
One of the most visited by Lionel Messi is MetLife Stadium. Messi has played five games there and never lost during regulation. However, he did convert his only three goals at MetLife Stadium in a single game.
Nonetheless, the more prominent game at this stadium and arguably a low in Messi’s career was in 2016. After drawing 0-0 in regulation time, Argentina lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout, with Messi missing a penalty kick against Chile in the 2016 Copa América final.
Rose Bowl
The venue in Los Angeles saw Messi play in a 2-1 victory for FC Barcelona against LA Galaxy, in which the Argentine didn’t score.
Qwest Field
His first brace on North American soil came on August 6, 2009, in a friendly for Barcelona, where they beat Seattle Sounders 4-0.
Candlestick Park
In San Francisco, no Messi festivities were seen. The game was on August 9, 2009, and FC Barcelona tied 1-1 against Chivas de Guadalajara.
Houston Sports Park
After being hit hard by Chile in the 2015 Copa América final, Argentina set out for a friendly against Bolivia in Houston. The result was a crushing 7-0, and Messi scored a brace.
AT&T Stadium
The stadium in Texas received Messi on September 8, 2015. Argentina played a friendly against Mexico that ended with a 2-2 draw, and the No. 10 scored a goal.
Soldier Field
After being absent on the first day, the Copa América Centenario began for Lionel Messi on June 10, 2016, with an impressive 5-0 victory against Panama. That day he shone with a triplet.
N.R.G. Stadium
In the 2016 Copa América semifinals, Messi converted a superb free kick that went straight into the corner. The result was a 4-0 win by Argentina over the U.S.
FedEx Field
Messi traveled with FC Barcelona to play in the International Champions Cup. On July 26, 2017, he participated in the 1-0 win against Manchester United.
Hard Rock Stadium
Here the Argentine star was present in two games. The first was for the same International Champions Cup in 2017, where he faced Real Madrid and scored a goal after 3 minutes. The result was 3-2 in favor of Barcelona.
Then, on September 23, 2022, the Argentina national team beat Honduras 3-0 with a brace from its captain.
The final numbers of Messi in the United States
La Pulga has played 21 games on American soil and scored 20 goals. Now, it will be time to enjoy him more often as he prepares to play for Inter Miami CF.
