Utah and its Major League Soccer team Real Salt Lake welcomed Messi and Inter Miami to America First Field in Sandy
Aayush Kshetri poses for a photo as his freind Prabal Prajapati both from Nepal, attend a match between RSL and Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Some call him the greatest to ever play the game of soccer.
Regardless of what your opinion is, or even whether you’re a fan of soccer, you’ve likely heard the name Lionel Messi.
The Argentine is one the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
Wednesday evening, Utah and its Major League Soccer team Real Salt Lake welcomed Messi and Inter Miami to America First Field in Sandy.
Inter Miami won the match, 2-0.
Deseret News photojournalists Rio Giancarlo and Scott G Winterton drew the lucky straws to cover the match. Here’s a look at the action on and off the field.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, Lionel Messi’s position was mislabeled in some of the photo captions. He is a forward.
From left, Inter Miami forwards Lionel Messi (10) and Luis Suárez (9) arrive before an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans try and catch a glimpse of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) as he arrives at the stadium ahead of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) warms up before an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) warms up before an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans stream into the stadium ahead of the RSL and Inter Miami match at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans stream into the stadium ahead of the RSL and Inter Miami match at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans stream into the stadium ahead of the RSL and Inter Miami match at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Aayush Kshetri poses for a photo as his freind Prabal Prajapati both from Nepal, attend a match between RSL and Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Brothers Maverick and Legend Farnes pose for a photo before entering the stadium for the RSL and Inter Miami match at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Dollie Tessman takes a photo of her kids King, Kalea and Rocky ahead of the match between RSL and Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A Miami fan takes a selfie before entering the stadium ahead of the RSL and Inter Miami match at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Four F-35s from Hill Air Force Base perform a flyover prior to RSL and Inter Miami playing at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Four F-35s from Hill Air Force Base perform a flyover prior to RSL and Inter Miami playing at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Lionel Messi fans look on before an MLS game between Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans point their phones at Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) as he prepares to take a corner kick during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) waits to take a free kick during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) attempts to cross the ball around Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A young fan holds up a sign for Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) before an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) tries to kick the ball away from Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) talks with the official as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) signals for a yellow card on Real Salt Lake midfielder Stijn Spierings (6) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) and Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) battle for the ball as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) spins away from Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad (15) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Amber Pufall, Aliyah Pufall and Mikiya Pufall of Idaho talk prior to entering the stadium as Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami prepare to play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Four F-35s from Hill Air Force Base perform a flyover prior to RSL and Inter Miami playing at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Two Messi fans talk before an MLS game between Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans record as Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) prepares to take a corner kick during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) jogs during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans watch the teams warm up prior to RSL and Inter Miami playing at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after missing a chance during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the first half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7), center, celebrates with forward Lionel Messi (10) after scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) takes a free kick during the second half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans reach out to Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) as he walks off the field after Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 in an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) rubs his face after missing a goal attempt as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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