Lionel Messi scores his first competitive goal of 2025 as Inter Miami triumphs in freezing Kansas, with coach Javier Mascherano stunned by the extreme cold.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was left in disbelief at the freezing temperatures in Kansas as his team triumphed over their opponents in the Champions Cup.

The match, which took place at Children’s Mercy Park, saw Lionel Messi score his first competitive goal of 2025, securing a vital win for the Miami side.

However, despite the victory, the match’s most unexpected storyline wasn’t the performance on the pitch, but the bone-chilling cold that left Mascherano stunned.

→ Swipe to see more articles

Related Posts

Romeo Beckham and Ex Mia Regan’s Awkward Encounter

NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut Returns to Earth on His 70th Birthday After Groundbreaking Mission

Drake Teases ‘Next Chapter’ in Cryptic Post

Oscars 2025 Stuns Hollywood

What You Never Knew About Dylan Dreyer’s Quiet Love Story With Brian Fichera

Trump’s Tariffs: The Trade War with China Heats Up as New Exemptions Are Revealed

As temperatures dropped to near freezing, Mascherano admitted to being taken aback by the weather conditions, describing the cold as “inhuman.”

The former Argentina international and World Cup winner, who has been managing Inter Miami since 2024, was clearly struggling to adjust to the frigid conditions that are a far cry from the warmer climates he and his team are accustomed to.

In an interview following the game, Mascherano humorously added that the conditions were “something you don’t see every day in football,” and joked that the cold may have affected their performance, although they emerged victorious.

But the focus of the evening remained on Messi, who, after a relatively quiet start to the year, found his scoring boots once again in the 58th minute. His first competitive goal of 2025 came after a beautiful team move.

Inter Miami’s midfield orchestrated the attack, with a perfectly placed ball finding Messi at the edge of the box. The superstar calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper with his signature finesse, sending the traveling Miami fans into a frenzy.

The goal was a moment of relief for Messi, who has been under a bit of pressure to perform after his high-profile move to Major League Soccer.

Despite his immense talent, there were questions about his impact on the field, especially with Inter Miami having gone through a few rough patches in the early part of the season.

However, Messi’s goal in this Champions Cup fixture reaffirmed his importance to the team and his ability to produce when it matters most.

The win in Kansas also marked a significant moment for the entire Inter Miami squad, as the Champions Cup is always a prestigious competition, especially with international teams involved.

While the cold weather in Kansas might have been a challenge, the team’s resilience and ability to focus on the game showed their strength under pressure.

With Messi now back on the scoresheet, and Mascherano working his magic in the dugout, Inter Miami will feel confident going forward into their next set of fixtures, both domestically and internationally.

Kansas’ frigid temperatures were a stark contrast to the sunny climates of Miami, where Mascherano and his team are accustomed to playing.

The game’s unusual circumstances sparked conversation both in the locker room and on social media, with fans chiming in about the stark differences in weather conditions for a team that has grown accustomed to playing in warmer, tropical environments.

Still, despite the freezing cold, the players maintained their focus and delivered a professional performance, capped off by Messi’s goal.

For Messi, the goal was an important milestone in what is expected to be another remarkable year in his illustrious career. As he continues to adjust to life in the United States and in MLS, this goal will only add to his growing legacy in the league.

He had already made a major impact on the field in his first season, and his 2025 performance promises to follow suit.

Inter Miami, now feeling the momentum from their Champions Cup win, will look to build on this victory and Messi’s form as they head into the latter stages of the season.

With their star player in top form, Mascherano will be eager to continue his team’s success and maintain their competitive edge in a league that is becoming more challenging by the day.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami’s supporters will be hoping for more standout moments like this as Messi continues to find his rhythm, even in the most unlikely of conditions.

For Mascherano, the win in Kansas was a reminder of his team’s ability to adapt to adversity, whether it’s extreme temperatures or intense competition.

Despite the cold, the Miami side were warmed by the success, and their supporters left the stadium with a sense of optimism for the season to come.