Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

First Thing Lionel Messi Did in Jamaica Revealed Before Inter Miami Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 9:25 AM ET

If Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami CF against Cavalier FC on Thursday, it would be the first match of his career on Jamaican soil.

Amid Messi's recent injury concerns and zero appearances in the past four matches, Jamaican soccer fans were still excited by the possibility of seeing Messi in the CONCACAF Champions Cup match at Independence Park, the country's national stadium in Kingston.

Few were as excited as Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange , who welcomed Inter Miami and its captain on the tarmac when their plane arrived in the country on Wednesday night.

"I'm feeling very happy," Grange told reporters. "I'm happy that Jamaica is able to host I would say 'high-profile' matches."

"I'm also proud of Cavaliers," she continued. "The fact that they get to play with some of the most outstanding players in the world and compete with them."

CVM Sports took to the streets to find out how Jamaicans felt about Lionel Messi possibly playing in Jamaica?

Messi's Inter Miami team will face Jamaica Premier League Club Cavalier in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup over two legs on March 6 and 13.#CVMNews pic.twitter.com/6gXZz2ggmj
— CVM Television (@CVMTV) February 28, 2025

Grange had a smile on her face when she revealed the first interaction she had with Messi when he got off the plane.

"I said, 'Messi, can I hug you?' and he said, 'yes,' and you see I got a big hug!" she said.

According to Grange, the 2024 MLS MVP told her, "I love Jamaica and I'm happy to be here."

They're here. Tonight Minister Grange @Babsy_grange welcomes Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to Jamaica ahead of their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Jamaica's Cavaliers at the National Stadium on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/9bj5wKZQjT
— Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport (@MCGESJamaica) March 13, 2025

Ahead of the match, there were doubts whether or not the Argentinian superstar will be in Javier Mascherano's starting lineup. Inter Miami led the two-legged round of 16 tie 2-0 after the first leg in Florida, where Messi did not appear.

"(Messi) trained very well this morning, completed the entire session with the team and the feelings are good,” Mascherano said on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: