FRISCO — It has been 16 years since David Beckham arrived on these shores to reinvent and rebrand Major League Soccer as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. His first road trip here in the summer of 2007 produced heavy advanced ticket sales (although nothing like Sunday’s game) but it wasn’t much of a debut.
He was scratched with a sore ankle.
So the minute Lionel Messi took the Toyota Stadium field with Inter Miami CF, as an event this blew away anything FC Dallas has ever hosted and possibly ever will host. Beckham, who certainly elevated MLS in terms of television contracts and general interest, is now an even wealthier man and has a major ownership stake in the Miami club. But he was never really equal to what Messi became or solidified or rubber-stamped (depending upon one’s viewpoint) in last year’s triumphant World Cup for Argentina.
The man who has earned the title over a decade as the greatest soccer player in the world was right here to do his thing on a hot Sunday night that necessitated an 8:30 start time. FC Dallas held a pair of two-goal leads in the second half before the man people came to see went crazy to tie the game, then helped Miami win a shootout 5-3 after a 4-4 draw in regulation.
Watch: Dominant Lionel Messi scores early (and late) in thriller vs. FC Dallas
FC Dallas had no home game scheduled with Inter Miami this season. But with both teams winning their way into the round of 16 of this summer’s Leagues Cup, it turned out that the biggest soccer name in the world made his debut in the Miami pink road jersey right here.
A crowd of 19,096 turned up, occasionally chanting “Mes-si” but also cheering as the local team seemingly took control in the second half before allowing the game to go to penalty kicks.
Messi showed up and made his mark quickly. Then he got even better.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his first half goal agianst FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) in a Leagues Cup round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Aug. 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
Messi had barely touched the ball in the opening minutes before Jordi Alba, a former Barcelona linemate making his starting debut with Miami, sent a perfect dropback pass to Messi just outside the box. The 36-year-old unloaded with his powerful left leg and drilled a shot past Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes. The referee initially waved it off due to interference on another Miami forward, but replay reversed that call and gave the visitors the 1-0 lead six minutes into the game.
Messi also set up the goal that closed Miami’s deficit to 4-3 around the 80-minute mark, then put the tying goal high into the upper right corner to tie the game at 84 minutes. In four games with Inter Miami, Messi has seven goals and two assists. If those aren’t GOAT numbers in this sport, then they don’t exist. He also scored the first of Miami’s five straight successful penalty kicks to secure the victory.
If the game-time temperature was a little warm for someone who has played his recent soccer in Paris, well, Messi knew what he signed up for when he made the ever humid Miami his home. Besides, while it’s hard to find specifics on his deal with MLS, on top of his salary Messi is getting a share of the league’s Apple TV+ revenue along with part of the profits from the league’s Adidas deal.
FC Dallas falls to Messi, Inter Miami in what could be glimpse into future of U.S. soccerFormer European player and Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham makes a face at some young girls in his suite with his wife Victoria Beckham. The two were there Ito see Miami face FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Former European player and Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham waves to fans as he settles into his suite with his wife Victoria Beckham. The two were there Ito see Miami face FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
His impact on the MLS will be measured over time as we see how the league’s unusual TV deal pans out. For one night, it was easier to quantify. Where the average ticket price for FC Dallas games is listed at $45, the average price on the resale market Sunday was $864. When I looked at one site Saturday morning offering tickets for the sold-out match, the cheapest in one corner of the end zone was $473. If you wanted good seats at midfield, tickets were $1,475.
While we can assume Messi will make future appearances at Toyota Stadium, one has to wonder if he has a larger audience at AT&T Stadium in his future. It’s a certainty that some World Cup games will be played in Arlington in 2026 and, naturally, there’s a certain sense that because of the size of the stadium and the number of suites, it’s the perfect location for the World Cup final. At least a semifinal feels like a guarantee although New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta lead the pack as the cities competing for these mega-events.
Argentina would have to make it to the final four again, and Messi, at 39 in 2026, would have to still be competing although his current level of play doesn’t suggest an impending retirement. That’s a story for another time although something tells me the chances of Messi playing a game at AT&T sometime during the World Cup are pretty strong.
This week was a time for recognizing that Max Scherzer’s first game in Arlington wasn’t the biggest debut in these parts. When someone whose part of the GOAT discussion in the world’s biggest sport makes a guest appearance, it’s an event that’s not to be missed. Or matched.
The Blackman and Alvarez families wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)13-year-old Oscar Gooden, left, and 13-year-old Charlie Suchand pose for a photograph as they take a break from kicking around a soccer ball before an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Gabriel Cruz, left, johanne Jackson, Jeff Jackson, and Kris Melo enjoy some drinks as they wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans enjoy some food and fun as they wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)9-year-old Adhvik Dhandapani, left, and 8-year-old Advik Ramesh cheer as they wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Federico Burch poses for a photograph as he waits for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Federico Burch poses for a photograph as he waits for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans join a parade as the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)11-year-old Henri Fikins 11 holds a sign he made for the FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans join a parade as the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans join a parade as the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans join a parade as the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait in line as the gates open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans head towards the gates as they open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Tony Falcon, left, grills some burgers as he waits for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Fans wait for the gates to open for an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX, on Aug 6, 2023. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (second from right) arrives with his teammates for a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (second from right) waves to a fan as he arrives with his teammates for a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (center) waves to a fan as he arrives with his teammates for a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (second from right) arrives with his teammates for a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (right) arrives with his teammates for a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Fans of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi cheer and record for him as he takes the pitch for training. Miami faces FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Fans of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi dance in their seats before he takes the pitch for training. Miami faces FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Fans of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi cheer for him as he takes the pitch for training. Miami faces FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his first half goal agianst FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his first half goal agianst FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) shoots and scores a first half goal against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) shoots and scores a first half goal against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his first half goal agianst FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his first half goal with teammates in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira (10) celebrates forward Bernard Kamungo’s (77) first half goal in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas forward Bernard Kamungo (77) shoots and scores past Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) during the first half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor (16) shoots past FC Dallas defender Sebastien Ibeagha (25) during the first half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) disrupts the charge by Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during the first half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Former European player and Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham makes a face at some young girls in his suite with his wife Victoria Beckham. The two were there Ito see Miami face FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Former European player and Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham waves to fans as he settles into his suite with his wife Victoria Beckham. The two were there Ito see Miami face FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas defender Sebastien Ibeagha (25) celebrates his second half goal against the Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas forward Alan Velasco (20) celebrates his second half goal against the Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas forward Paul Arriola (7) and FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira (10) hug after Arriola’s shot bounced off a Miami player for a second half goal against the Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas players celebrate forward Alan Velasco’s second half goal, including midfielder Facundo Quignon (right) in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores over the FC Dallas defense on a free kick during the second half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores over the FC Dallas defense on a free kick during the second half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal (19) reacts after missing shot during the penally shootout in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against the Inter Miami at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. Miami won 4-4 on penalty kicks. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (30) celebrates his winning shot during the penally shootout in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against the FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. Miami won 4-4 on penalty kicks. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (30) celebrates his winning shot during the penally shootout in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against the FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. Miami won 4-4 on penalty kicks. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) shoots and makes his shot during the penally shootout in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against the Inter Miami at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. Miami won 4-4 on penalty kicks. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes (30) sits in front of the goal after Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi ended their season during the penally shootout in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against the FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. Miami won 4-4 on penalty kicks. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores over the FC Dallas defense on a free kick during the second half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) motions to his players to get set to play again after he scored over the FC Dallas defense on a free kick during the second half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)Inter Miami midfielder Dixon Arroyo (3) congratulates forward Lionel Messi (10) after he scored over the FC Dallas defense on a free kick during the second half of a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, August 6, 2023. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
The excitement surrounding Messi filled the air at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The stadium is home to FCDallas, which hosted the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
Find more FC Dallas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
