Lionel Messi, Between the Fame of “Soccer” and Role Model for Palmeiras’ Young Star

MIAMI, SUNDAY — Lionel Messi is in pursuit of a special birthday gift when he faces Palmeiras on Tuesday (24/6/2025) at 08:00 WIB, at the Miami Garden Stadium, in the final match of Group A of the 2025 Club World Cup. However, "La Pulga's" path to making new history in "soccer" in the United States will be challenged by the ambitions of the young stars of Palmeiras to prove their abilities in front of their great idol, Messi.

By securing four points from two matches in Group A, Miami and Palmeiras could effectively play to a draw to both advance to the round of 16. The condition is that the match between the two teams ends in a tie.

With a collection of five points, the two teams in third and fourth place, namely FC Porto and Al Ahly (Egypt), who will compete simultaneously at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, have no significance. The winner of that match can only earn four points.

However, the duel in Miami Garden will not feel bland. Miami and Palmeiras remain determined to hunt for victory.

Messi wants to celebrate his 38th birthday, which falls on June 24, in a special way by scoring a goal himself. If he can lead Miami to advance to the knockout stage, this achievement would mark a new milestone for the club's journey in international club competitions. Miami has the greatest chance of becoming the first U.S. team to reach the knockout stage of the new edition of the Club World Cup.

In addition, the team coached by Javier Mascherano has a significant potential to become the only host representative to advance to the round of 16. The other two U.S. clubs, Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC, suffered two defeats, making it highly unlikely for them to progress to the next round.

For Miami, a win or a draw would help them advance from Group A regardless of other teams. If they lose, Miami could still play in the knockout stage if there is no winner in the match between Porto and Al Ahly.

Even if there is a winner in the duel in New Jersey, the winner of that game will not have a goal difference or final goal productivity better than Messi and his teammates.

Mascherano, the coach of Miami, is very optimistic about his team's chances of advancing to the knockout stage thanks to the presence of Messi as captain and playmaker. Messi scored the decisive goal in Miami's 2-1 victory over Porto.

"He (Messi) is a player who always shows how to fight, his hunger, his determination is very strong to continue competing. Even in the last minutes with fatigue and injuries, he is still able to help the team in his way to get a positive result," said Mascherano as reported by DAZN.

He continued, "Leo (Messi) is a figure who motivates us. We know that having him is an advantage for the team, but above all, he possesses an unending winning spirit."

Miami defender, Ian Fray, also praised Messi's significant role in helping Miami compete in the biggest event in the club's seven-year history. In addition to his actions on the field, Fray noted that the greatest legend in Argentine football is also skilled at motivating the team with his words.

"He can boost the team's motivation before each match. He always encourages us to be confident and to prove our own abilities. We can also ask him about the match situations; he is very humble," said Fray, who is 22 years old.

Although he will be turning 38 years old, Messi remains vital for Miami. No other Miami player can match the offensive contributions of La Pulga.

Messi remains at the top of the list of Miami players with the most shots, totaling seven attempts, in two matches of the 2025 Club World Cup. The player wearing the number 10 jersey has also created four opportunities for his teammates and successfully completed five dribbles in the opponent's defensive zone.

Do not forget Messi's defensive role as well. He recorded 14 duel victories, two successful tackles, nine ball recoveries, and three instances of regaining possession in the final third of the opponent's defensive zone.

Meanwhile, Messi will face a new sensation in Brazilian football, Estevao, who is only 18 years old, representing a 20-year age difference with Messi. Estevao's abilities have been proven with two Best Player trophies for two games with Palmeiras in the 2025 Club World Cup.

For Estevao, meeting Messi while still wearing the Palmeiras jersey, his childhood team, was both a blessing and the sweetest farewell. This is because Estevao will be moving to Chelsea for the 2025-2026 season.

"He (Messi) is my biggest role model in football, along with Neymar. The upcoming match will be very challenging. Facing him and seeing him up close is a dream come true for me," Estevao stated as reported by the FIFA website.

Similar to Messi, Estevao is the player who poses the most threat to his team's opponents. Estevao has had five shots in the 2023 Indonesia U-17 World Cup. However, he has yet to score a goal from 1.06 expected goals (xG).

Estevao is also the most dominant player from Palmeiras in controlling the ball within the opponent's penalty area. He has controlled the ball eight times in the opponent's dangerous zone. This demonstrates his significant role in the attacking scheme of the Brazilian team.