When Lionel Messi graces the soccer field, he evokes a shared sense of awe among soccer fans, and Grammy-nominated musician Selena Gomez is no exception. The talented musician was in attendance at the BMO stadium to watch Inter Miami take on MLS Cup defending champions, LAFC.
In the 38th minute, Messi embarked on a mesmerizing run, starting from outside the box, attempting to navigate past three LAFC defenders. Initially thwarted, he executed a deft one-two with teammate Diego Gómez, who swiftly returned the pass to him within the penalty area. Yet, Messi’s subsequent attempt was thwarted by the remarkable reflexes of McCarthy.
OMG WHAT A SAVE FROM JOHN MCCARTHY 😱 pic.twitter.com/UiaTcbI9yS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023
As the replay captured this extraordinary sequence, the camera turned to Selena Gomez, capturing the moment when her jaw dropped in sheer amazement at the spectacle unfolding before her.
Selena Gomez‘s reaction garnered widespread attention as Messi’s magical display was denied a well-deserved goal by an astonishing save from LAFC’s goalkeeper, John McCarthy.
Selena Gomez was all of us watching John McCarthy deny Messi! 😱 https://t.co/A3a564uUSB pic.twitter.com/7likNsWPJD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023
Swiftly, this reaction became a viral sensation on social media platforms, prompting a slew of amusing comments from fans. Expressions like, “Selena Gomez was watching with open mouth & shining eyes,” “The Messi Effect!” and “Messi in LA with the stars, Penaldo in Saudi Arabia” took center stage, as enthusiasts marveled at the enduring influence of Messi’s artistry.
Ultimately, despite the extraordinary save, the outcome favored Messi and Inter Miami, as they cruised to a 3-1 away victory over LAFC in MLS action.
Although Messi remained absent from the scoresheet on this particular night, his indelible mark was made through two pivotal assists. LAFC, despite amassing 22 shots (with six on target) compared to Miami’s nine attempts, can only find a measure of consolation in the 90th minute, courtesy of a goal by defender Ryan Hollingshead.
Leonardo DiCaprio was in the crowd to witness Lionel Messi
The MLS match between Inter Miami and LAFC emerged as a star-studded spectacle, with even Hollywood heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio gracing the stands to savor the Lionel Messi show.
As the game entered its 54th minute, the camera shifted its focus to the iconic actor, capturing a delightful moment of DiCaprio enjoying ice cream while enthralled by Messi’s performance. This charming scene quickly became a social media sensation, with captions like “Leo watching Leo” generating a flurry of engagement and enthusiasm among fans.
Leo watching Leo 🤩
Leonardo DiCaprio in LA to watch Messi and #InterMiamiCF take on #LAFC pic.twitter.com/XOUTKBwLPR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023
The constellation of stars extended beyond Selena Gomez and Leonardo DiCaprio. An inadvertent leak from LAFC’s communication team unveiled a star-studded roster of attendees, featuring an array of renowned musicians such as Nas, Tyga, and Liam Gallagher.
Notable actors like Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, Gerard Butler, and even Will Ferrell, the co-owner of LAFC, were also among the luminaries present.
Inter Miami’s forthcoming challenge is scheduled for September 10, when they return to their home turf to host Sporting Kansas City. Eager to ascend the ranks in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, Inter Miami currently occupies the 14th spot with 25 points, a mere eight points shy of the coveted playoff positions.