Messi sparks 6-0 rout of Puerto Rico

Lionel Messi shone brightly on familiar turf, setting up two goals and helping Argentina dominate Puerto Rico 6-0 in an international friendly that was relocated from Chicago to Florida at the last minute.

The match, originally scheduled for Monday in Chicago, was moved after ticket sales lagged and concerns over a local immigration crackdown. Despite the unusual circumstances, Messi, playing at his home ground with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, immediately made an impact. He delivered a clever lob to assist Gonzalo Montiel’s opener in the first half and later orchestrated a precise back pass that led to Lautaro Martínez’s second goal in the 83rd minute.

Alexis Mac Allister added two goals, while an own goal by Puerto Rico also contributed to the lopsided scoreline.

The matchup was notable not only for the relocation but also for the disparity between the teams. Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world by FIFA, faced Puerto Rico, ranked 155th, a squad that included several college players. Puerto Rico goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler, who plays for Villanova, made two impressive saves against Messi, while midfielder Noeh Hernández, from DePaul, showed glimpses of skill but could not prevent the heavy defeat.

Puerto Rico nearly pulled off a surprise in the eighth minute when Leandro Antonetti’s long-range effort almost caught Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez off guard. However, Argentina’s experience and cohesion quickly reasserted themselves, leaving the visitors unable to capitalize.

Attendance was modest at kickoff, with tickets available just hours before the game for as low as $25 a rare opportunity for fans to see Messi live. The stadium gradually filled as the match progressed, but the atmosphere remained subdued compared to typical Messi appearances.

The friendly is part of Argentina’s World Cup preparations ahead of next year’s tournament, which will be hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The match also came on a day of political tension, with former President Donald Trump threatening to relocate some U.S.-hosted World Cup matches, citing concerns over unrest in parts of Boston.

Despite the off-field drama, Messi’s brilliance on the field ensured Argentina ended the night with a comfortable victory and a strong statement ahead of the World Cup.