Lionel Messi gets $1bn Inter Miami stadium honor as ex-USMNT star outlines what makes him ‘special’

Lionel Messi has received a grand gesture from Inter Miami CF.

The Major League Soccer club announced that the Argentine superstar, who many argue is the greatest football player of all time, will have a stand named after him at the new Nu Stadium.

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“Inter Miami CF is excited to announce Leo Messi stand, with our number 10 and captain set to become part of a rare and unique case in global sports: an athlete regularly playing at his home stadium with a stand named in his honor,” a club statement read.

“Traditionally, tributes look to the past. They are built from nostalgia. From memory. This one is different. This one is born from the present. From what is happening right now. From what you feel every time Leo steps onto the pitch.

“Recognizing someone is not always about closing a chapter. Sometimes it is about realizing you are witnessing something unique.”

The Leo Messi Stand will be situated in the East Stand of Inter Miami’s new state-of-the-art 26,700 seater stadium – the centerpiece of the Miami Freedom Park project that has cost $1 billion to construct.

Co-owned by Manchester United and England hero David Beckham, Nu Stadium will open its doors for the very first time on April 4, as the reigning MLS Cup champions will set out to defend their title.

Messi – who has now surpassed 900 career goals and surpassed Pele – made the switch from Europe to South Beach in 2023.

During that time, he has spearheaded the club to four trophies during his time in Florida, including that of the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, 2025 Eastern Conference title and 2025 MLS Cup.

In just 94 appearances for The Herons, Messi has tallied 82 goals and 52 assists, where his 48 goal contributions in the 2025 season saw him win not just the Golden Boot award, but also saw him claim his second consecutive Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award.

Acosta on Messi’s ‘killer instinct’

The news of Inter Miami naming a stand after their all-time goals and assists leader comes just days after Orlando City announced the signing of France international and World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid as the latest star to make the move from Europe to the United States.

Ex-USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta exclusively told talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs show on Friday how exciting it is for players of Messi and Griezmann’s caliber to be playing the MLS.

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“It’s exciting times for the league. I see the league is growing,” the 30-year-old told Hawksbee and Jacobs. “I mean, to attract the names like Antoine Griezmanns to the Rodrigo De Pauls to the [Giorgio] Chiellinis and the [Gareth] Bales of the past or obviously the big one, the Messis.

Acosta is currently plying his trade for Pogon Szczecin in the Ekstraklasa, but spent the first 14 seasons of his professional career in the MLS, with stints at FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles FC, and most recently, Chicago Fire.

Having played alongside both Chiellini and Bale at LAFC, where they won the 2022 MLS Cup, the former USMNT midfielder was also tasked with the challenge of facing Messi in the midfield.

“I played against him a few times. When he gets a ball, he gets active,” Acosta told Hawksbee and Jacobs. “And it’s one of those things where you kind of switch off a bit because you’re like, ‘ah, he’s walking around. He’s not doing much. He’s just kind of there’.

“So I’m focused on the ball. I’m trying to get organized. And then you turn your head, he gets the ball and he just goes, full go.

“He’s still a special player. His IQ is next level, but he still has the tenacity and the speed and the killer instinct. …

Leo Messi Stand in more depth

“As the MLS Cup Champions gear up for our historic opener at Nu Stadium on April 4, Inter Miami is thrilled to announce that the East Stand at our new state-of-the-art home will be dedicated to the best player in history.

“Spanning from sections 117-121 in the Lower Bowl and 217 – 223 in the Upper Bowl, the Leo Messi Stand is incorporated into Nu Stadium’s unified seating bowl, guaranteeing fans a unique experience with the best views of the action while enhancing crowd energy to create the best atmosphere in the league.

“Fans within the Leo Messi Stands will receive surprise and delight moments as part of the experience in this special and historic section.” – Inter Miami CF

“He’s one of the greatest players ever play. So I wouldn’t see why not,” Acosta added when asked whether he was ever left starstruck when getting the opportunity to play against Messi and whether players would rush over to try and swap shirts with him.

“For me, it’s kind of before the game, I’m a bit in awe. But when it comes to the on the field, I’m trying to put my best foot forward and help my team in any which way I can.”

As for Messi, he is gearing up to defend his World Cup crown after leading Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which ultimately saw the GOAT complete football.

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