As part of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 qualification campaign, Inter Miami CF traveled to Kingston to face the local Cavaliers FC. The Miami contingent included Argentine coach Javier Mascherano, eight Argentine players, and star player Lionel Messi. The presence of this team, and Messi in particular, in Jamaica generated numerous local repercussions that positively impacted ties with our country.
The Inter Miami team and technical staff arrived at Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, the 12th, and were greeted by a small delegation consisting only of Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourism Board, and the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Marcelo Balbi Calvo.
The arrival generated heightened interest from fans and made the front page of all local newspapers. During the little over 24 hours of the visit, social media and news outlets focused on publicizing the activities of Messi and the rest of the team, emphasizing their soccer skills and making multiple positive references to Argentina.
On the morning of March 13, Inter Miami's technical staff organized a clinic for nearly 50 local youth soccer players at the Ballaz Academy.
Argentine first-team player Marcelo Weigandt and club support staff took time to interact and share with the young local players before Thursday's Round of 16 match. Ballaz Academy director and founder Andre Virtue expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to expose Jamaican youth to greater opportunities in the sport.
Finally, Inter Miami CF and Cavalier FC played their match on Thursday afternoon. Jamaica's National Stadium was sold out and completely packed, with over 35,000 people in attendance. The match was sponsored by major local brands, including RedStripe and food distributor Ransom.
Lionel Messi returned to the game after three absences and scored a goal, furthering the positive response from the Jamaican crowd. Media outlets, including foreign outlets such as the New York Times, highlighted the Argentine player's positive attitude toward the crowd, strengthening the already strong connection between the people of Jamaica and Argentina.
Cavaliers FC head coach Rudolph Spiers was quick to compare Messi and Inter Miami CF's visit to Jamaica and the Caribbean in the 1970s, whose impact on the region's football is still felt today.
"We were able to host a match here in a packed stadium. I've seen the kids' faces when they saw Messi, and how happy they were. I think we'll see another 10,000 or 20,000 boys and girls starting to play football after this. We'll also see more coaches getting involved and participating," said the coach.
For her part, Tanya Lee Perkins, who manages the Jamaican national team at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), mentioned that Lionel Messi's visit to Jamaica has generated a boost for the country's football beyond dedicated fans.
"The aura and euphoria surrounding Messi's presence in Jamaica is transformative," stated Lee Perkins. "And that growing interest will only fuel Jamaica's appetite for the sport and support for the Reggae Boyz (the nickname of the local team)."
Messi's visit alongside the Argentine players of Inter Miami CF has helped reinforce Argentina's importance as a global football force at the local level. The following links are just a sample of the impact of this visit in local and international media.
