The next step will be to rename the stadium directly? Maybe not in the middle of a career, this time…
In general, renaming stadiums or stands happens as a tribute, once careers are over and often even after the people involved have passed away. But Inter Miami will make an exception for Lionel Messi…Indeed, the octuple Ballon d’Or’s stand will be inaugurated next week at the Nu Stadium, for the next match against Austin (Saturday, April 4), in honor of the 38-year-old Argentine captain. As the Floridian franchise confirms, “this stand is different, born of the present while tributes traditionally look to the past, built from nostalgia and memory”: “This stand arises from what will happen from now on. From what you feel every time Leo steps onto the field.”
All-time top scorer with 82 goals in 94 matches, top assist provider with 53 assists
Remember that Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to the title in the Major League Soccer a few months ago, the first in the young history of this team of which David Beckham is one of the co-owners. But he had already won two other trophies, albeit far less important, the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. He is also, by now, the all-time top scorer of Inter Miami with 82 goals in 94 matches, also the top assist provider with 53 assists.
The world champion with the Albiceleste (who still officially keeps the mystery, officially, about his participation in the 2026 World Cup) scored his 900th career goal last week, becoming the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this milestone. With the goal of 1,000 goals becoming apparent, even if he does not proclaim it loudly unlike his Portuguese rival. Therefore, who must be the first to have a stand bearing his name in his own club, will certainly reach these 1,000 goals before Lionel Messi, as he has a 65-goal lead (965 against 900).
