In 2011, I wrote about some guy named Lionel Messi.
“The world’s best athlete at his sport clearly is not part of my top-of-the-mind awareness, or else my immediate reaction would not have been ‘I need to clean this space,’’ when my soccer-friendly son passed my office door chanting, ‘Messi, Messi, Messi.’ ”
That was 15 years ago. Surveys showed that only one in five American sports fans ages 40 and older had ever heard of the Argentinian soccer sprite. Messi was 24 at the time, and already was the most dynamic soccer player in the world. Didn’t matter. Soccer in America largely was considered a cute little niche sport. Pat it on the head, give it a drink of water and send it back to bed.
How times have changed. Messi is now recognized by four
of five U.S. sports fans. The bulk of his burgeoning fame can be attributed to the internet, which has made the world smaller – you can “go” anywhere on the globe with the press of a button – while making the 5-foot-7 forward bigger.
How big? No disrespect to Jesse Owens, and acknowledging the star power of LeBron James and Tiger Woods, but because of increased media attention, and soccer being the world's most popular sport, Messi is the most famous athlete ever to compete in Columbus. It happened the first time in 2024 when Inter Miami played the Crew at Lower.com Field. It happened again Sept. 27 when the Herons visited ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The Crew won a wonderfully entertaining game, 2-1, when Jamal Thiare scored in the 98th minute off a goaltender rebound, sending the majority of the sellout crowd of 21,188 home happy. Their team won and The Most Famous did not disappoint. What's not to like?
Lionel Messi makes highlight reel goal against Crew
Greatness on display. In the 34th minute, Messi set up 10 yards outside the penalty box, toward the right corner, and bent a left-footed free kick over Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte into the far side of the net.
The place went nuts, and I do mean the entire place. It’s a safe bet that not many opposing goals have been cheered by Columbus fans the way they roared when La Pulga (the Flea) did his thing.
MESSI WITH A FREE KICK GOLAZO 💫 pic.twitter.com/5rhLfDkJt7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 27, 2026
When Messi’s arcing rocket found the white nylon, the video replay showed amazed Crew fans on their feet, mouths open, high-fiving one another as if one of their own had just scored the game-winner.
And why not? It’s not often you get a chance to watch and celebrate when one of the best scorers in soccer history buries a beautiful kick that had a 3% chance of going in. (In fairness to Crew loyalists, the Nordecke filled its role for the home team by booing Messi when he had the ball.)
"He does that every game, for 20 years. You can't be surprised," Crew coach Laurent Courtois said, shrugging.
Crew players were extra motivated by being in Messi's presence but said they could not afford to act like paying customers and become overly enamored of him.
"After he scored he smiled at me because I know what he can do," said Crew striker Josef Martinez, who made it 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 28th minute. "We know he's one of the best players in history, but we fight. We respect him a lot, but we have to win."
FIGHT TO THE END 😤 pic.twitter.com/52PtAV1fw3
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 28, 2026
Or as Courtois framed it, "He's the best player who ever played the game ... but we have to do a good job of not idolizing people during the game. We do it before and after."
Messi, 39, announced Aug. 31 that he is retiring from Argentina’s national team, finishing his 21-year international career with 125 goals in 207 matches. He is slowing as he nears sunset on a sensational career, taking his sweet time during games, walking to his spots more than ever, which is saying something considering he always has been something of a lurking sniper.
Messi's quickness and powerful shot makes him threat to score
But the quickness is still there, as is the bazooka shot. He wasn’t perfect against the Crew, missing a prime chance on a back-to-the-goal spin move that sailed just wide in the 53rd minute. And he showed a chippiness that has not often been witnessed during his four seasons in Miami. But grumpy old man or not, Messi’s presence in MLS has shined a brighter light on the league, which has improved dramatically since he was that 24-year-old playing in La Liga.
Fifteen years ago, MLS was not considered a top-20 league in the world. Today, it hovers anywhere between 12 and 15, depending on one’s international bias. That Messi would don a pink uniform and “lower” himself to play in a lesser league says a lot about MLS’s emerging respect.
In 2011, I further wrote: “Watching Messi maneuver through two, three or more defenders before scoring makes the athleticism and artistry of soccer more immediate and real. It is not overstating things to say that Messi's transcendent play would make the game matter more in … America.”
It came true. Messi is good for MLS even if he is bad for opponents. The Crew got a taste of his brilliance Sunday, but stole the headlines all the same.
Sports columnist Rob Oller can be reached at roller@dispatch.com and on X.com at @rollerCD.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Most famous athlete to play in Columbus still couldn't beat the Crew
