When Messi Comes to Town....

Unbelievably, the most famous athlete in the world is in our city.

I created a list some time ago featuring athletes, which I intended to update annually, and its origin story might amuse you a bit.

You see, my day-to-day life is hopelessly unorganized, and I was determined to address my clutter issues, particularly in my office and closet. Inspired by Marie Kondo, I read her book, learned to fold my clothes more efficiently, and parted ways with items I no longer needed or used. I started incorporating Kondo’s key internal question, “does this spark joy?”

In the KonMari Method™, your feelings are the standard for decision making – specifically, knowing what sparks joy.  To determine this when tidying, the key is to pick up each object one at a time, and ask yourself quietly, “Does this spark joy?”  Pay attention to how your body responds.  Joy is personal, so everyone will experience it differently.

Undoubtedly, this approach resonates with many individuals. However, I admit that despite my efforts, I haven't quite mastered the art of decluttering my own life due to my many commitments. Nonetheless, it has provided me with a unique way to justify why certain athletes hold a special place in my heart. Do they spark joy?

By this, I don't refer to players who help my own team achieve victories since that might be akin to cheering for laundry – a programmed response to support our team's success, which we believe brings us happiness. Instead, I am talking about athletes who don't play for our team at all. It matters little which team they represent; their performance simply brings immense joy when we watch them in action. They exude an infectious sense of boyish delight as they carry out their duties, and in turn, their happiness resonates with us neutrals and fills us with joy as well.

The 2023 version of my list is long overdue, and I have been meticulously scouring through numerous sports that I follow to compile a selection of names. These athletes captivate me to the extent that whenever I have spare time, I find myself irresistibly drawn to search for them on satellite channels, eagerly anticipating the pleasure of watching them perform their magic.

Steph Curry has consistently brought immense joy, and Shohei Ohtani unquestionably belongs on that list. Conner McDavid, David Ortiz, and Carlos Alcaraz have also held high positions on my list, and for quite some time, Ja Morant was a significant presence as well. However, given recent developments in his personal life, we will temporarily set him aside. Despite none of these athletes belonging to "my teams," the sheer joy they exude while performing is undeniable. Isn't that precisely why we love sports? It serves as a source of cheer and an avenue to immerse ourselves in something that brings us unadulterated happiness during our free time and with our discretionary income.

Sometimes, even a player like Yordan Alvarez, who represents a team I actively dislike, manages to spark joy through his extraordinary performances.

Nonetheless, there has been one individual who has been an enduring source of inspiration for millions of us, seemingly for eternity. In fact, at the core of my being, I believe he might be the reason I adopted Marie Kondo's phrase and started applying it to athletes. Lionel Messi has always had a profound impact on my happiness, and there is something about him that resonates deeply with me.

Messi is the one individual who, for two decades, has brought me an unparalleled amount of joy, surpassing anyone else in the realm of sports. There is simply no player in the world, across any sport, who has compelled me to pause and rearrange my plans numerous times, just so I could witness his extraordinary performances. His innate ability, infectious energy, and unyielding determination make him the epitome of excellence in this category—a Mount Rushmore figure, if you will. Despite amassing incredible wealth, he has consistently demonstrated that his actions on the field are not driven by financial motives. He embodies the athlete's creed of striving to showcase his best, especially when it might be the only time the audience gets to see him play.

The precise moment when I fell in love with sports through Messi is hard to recall. Like countless individuals worldwide, he has captivated us for so long that it becomes increasingly challenging to imagine life before his mesmerizing presence. His career coincided perfectly with soccer's surge in popularity, thanks to the technology boom. With Barcelona's matches easily accessible in real-time and an abundance of his highlight clips on YouTube, we were treated to days' worth of entertainment. Each time he touched the ball, he conjured magic repeatedly and relentlessly, eluding any attempts to contain him. His style of play was so infectious that it resonated with anyone who watched him, regardless of their knowledge of the sport.

I wholeheartedly urge those who haven't witnessed the young Messi to seek out his matches, documentaries, and highlights. It's an experience that will undoubtedly leave you shaking your head in awe, even if soccer is unfamiliar to you. However, for those well-versed in the sport, it becomes evident that he is undeniably the greatest player ever, or at the very least, very close to it.

For years, debates have raged on about Messi's relative greatness compared to legendary figures like Pele, Maradona, or even Cristiano Ronaldo. One significant point of contention was Argentina's inability to secure victory in major competitions, and this was often held against him. I recall a heated discussion last November with my soccer expert pals on the Ticket, where we pondered whether Messi could truly be considered a legend if he hadn't won a World Cup. While I understood the arguments about individual talent versus teamwork, soccer appeared to heavily rely on collective effort since even the most exceptional players often couldn't carry the entire team on their shoulders.

At times, I might have been motivated to defend Messi and his legacy. Perhaps I felt that his opportunity to win the World Cup had passed, and I wanted to shield him from undue criticism. The story of last winter's World Cup remains etched in my memory for countless reasons, including the tragic and sudden loss of a journalist I deeply admired, Grant Wahl. However, what will forever stand out is Messi's triumphant ascent to claim the World Cup as a key driving force, followed by the joyous celebrations in his homeland during the victory parade. It was an unforgettable moment that showcased his brilliance and left an indelible mark on the world.

Those of us who invested in a lifetime subscription to watch Messi play at any given opportunity understand why, in my humble opinion, he is superior to Ronaldo. Their playing styles differ in numerous aspects, and Messi has always excelled at elevating the performance of everyone around him. Ronaldo, on the other hand, often appeared preoccupied with his legacy, statistics, and place in history. Messi, on the contrary, seemed to possess a profound understanding that these elements would naturally fall into place as long as he continued to perform at his best and secure victories. It boiled down to the classic dichotomy of "me vs we," and perhaps it was simply their inherent dispositions, but Messi appeared willing to embrace humility, even as a global superstar.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, projected an air of neediness, constantly seeking validation and widespread agreement on his greatness. Such neediness can be off-putting and fails to bring joy, even when one is undeniably among the best players of all time. In contrast, Messi never seemed to demand accolades at his feet, a testament to his remarkable accomplishments in its own right. His ability to remain grounded despite his monumental success is truly admirable.

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Now, a development on Sunday nobody could have imagined.

I saw Messi play in person one night in Houston back on June 22, 2016. It was a Copa America Semifinal between Argentina and the USA. I was wearing my countries colors and certainly hopeful of them winning two more matches and therefore a prestigious trophy, but let’s not get it twisted. I raced to Houston to watch this match because I would have a chance to see Lionel Messi with my own eyes. It’s a night I won’t forget.

I will never forget what happened next. I grabbed my phone to roll video before Messi’s free kick in the 32nd minute. The goal was superb and even though it was part of a rough night for my USMNT, I hold it as a top memory.

Bob Sturm

Bob Sturm on Instagram: “My view of the amazing moment from last night.”

August 5, 2023

It's not just about the goal; it's the emotional impact he had on people. Witnessing him work his magic in person left spectators in tears, disbelief, and awe. The idea of him playing live in Texas during a crucial match seemed impossible, given he was based overseas. Yet, that's the extraordinary aspect of Messi – everything appears possible in his presence.

Back then, he was 29, but now at 36, as evident to anyone, his brilliance remains undiminished. As demonstrated by his recent triumph of holding the World Cup Trophy aloft, he continues to be nothing short of sensational. His decision to play in America now has nothing to do with retirement; rather, it showcases his incredible ability to perform at the highest level even in a new setting. And, of course, how could he be anything less than awesome?

After all, he is Messi.

Now, let's circle back to the unimaginable turn of events. Messi is now playing for Inter Miami, and the likelihood of them facing FC Dallas in a league match during his two seasons with the team, before the next World Cup, seemed incredibly slim due to the unbalanced schedule. However, the debut of the 2023 Leagues Cup has unexpectedly aligned the brackets to bring him here for his inaugural away match in the round of 16. The randomness of the pairings has sparked an unprecedented ticket frenzy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, unlike anything we've seen before. While tough tickets have been a part of various sports events, when excluding monumental occasions like Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals, this occurrence stands out as a one-of-a-kind situation. Perhaps the only comparison could be when Michael Jordan and the Bulls visited Reunion Arena, but the scarcity and pricing make this event even more remarkable.

And now, he is here. Despite the sweltering heat, secondary market tickets start at $800 and quickly escalate into five-digit absurdities. Yet, none of that matters to me. Missing this opportunity is out of the question. Lionel Messi has brought me immeasurable joy, and this once-in-a-lifetime chance is worth dropping everything and investing considerable cash to ensure my soccer-obsessed son gets to witness him live as well. In our household, I am not the sole individual who owes a debt of gratitude to Messi for the immense joy he has brought into our lives.

I envision it to be the grandest day in FC Dallas history, with an atmosphere that will be nothing short of extraordinary. Just like when I had the joy of witnessing the USMNT face Argentina, I will undoubtedly be elated if my side secures a victory. However, let there be no doubt – my primary reason for being there is to witness that one guy. I will be keenly observing the people around me, many of whom have never seen him in person, and I am certain there will be tears of sheer amazement in some of their eyes. This is what sports is truly about – witnessing the seemingly impossible becoming a reality. Sunday night will be an unforgettable moment as the greatest player is making his way to Frisco, defying all odds.

I expect it to be unforgettable.