How Real Salt Lake’s budding stars stacked up against the greatest of all time

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 Wednesday night in Sandy, Utah

Published: April 23, 2026, 12:54 a.m. MDTUpdated: April 23, 2026, 1:39 a.m. MDT

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) dribbles past Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Krysyan covers sports for the Deseret News with a focus on women's sports.

Over 21,000 fans packed Sandy’s America First Field to watch Real Salt Lake host Inter Miami CF and the greatest soccer player of all-time, Lionel Messi, on Wednesday night.

Messi’s Inter Miami CF ultimately beat Real Salt Lake 2-0. But Real Salt Lake kept the defending MLS Cup champions scoreless until the 82nd minute when Rodrigo De Paul scored the first goal of the match and a minute later, his teammate Luis Suarez added another.

Many fans in pink Miami and blue and white Argentina kits packed the stands alongside Real fans in claret and cobalt for the likely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch Messi play in person.

“Being in the presence of a guy like Messi ... will take a layman fan into a true soccer fan when you get to experience the environment. I thought the crowd tonight was exceptional and just waiting to explode on a goal,” Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni said in his postgame press conference.

Photos: Soccer great Lionel Messi in Utah

The moment wasn’t lost on the Real Salt Lake players, according to Mastroeni.

“This guy’s been hanging on these players’ walls for years, you know. And just to be on the same field, I felt like we were a little bit off, but I think a lot of that comes with nerves and the stage and the type of attention that this team brings,” he said.

How Real Salt Lake’s young stars fared against Messi

Real Salt Lake thwarted Messi fans’ dreams of watching him score live, blocking all nine of his shots. But those fans got a glimpse of the budding superstars that have been the talk of Real’s 2026 season.

Mastroeni noted that his players “competed incredibly well” in the first 70 minutes of the match. He then shared a message for the opposing fans and the fans attending their first Real Salt Lake match.

“So what I’d say is, the guys are going to bounce back. We have some amazing younger players, we have an amazing team, and we have an amazing fanbase. And I think when you have all those, it’s a spectacle every week,” he said.

This season, Real’s top five goal scorers are under the age of 24, including two teenagers. Sergi Solans, the 23-year-old Spaniard, leads Real with five goals as well as an assist through eight games.

For context, Solans has scored just two goals fewer than Messi, who is tied for third-place among the league’s top scorers this season, and Solans has done it while playing 224 fewer minutes than the Argentine legend.

Match review: Solans’ 1st professional brace powers RSL to 4-2 home win over San Diego FC

Solans had two shots in Wednesday’s loss but couldn’t find the back of the net in his 79 minutes on the pitch before being subbed off.

Diego Luna, who has two goals this season and could represent the U.S. at this summer’s World Cup, also had two shots — one blocked and another sailing just above the crossbar.

The most involved of the young superstars was 19-year-old Utah native Zavier Gozo.

Gozo has two goals this season and had four shots in the second half alone Wednesday. But he was unable to add to his goal total and will his team to a comeback with two of his attempts missing the goal and the other two saved and blocked by Miami.

‘I’m a lot more than just a soccer player’: How faith guides RSL forward Zavier Gozo’s life

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But shot attempts aren’t enough to win big games such as this one, which Mastroeni told his team.

“You’ve got to take your chances. It’s a game of opportunities and converting. You’re not going to get 30 chances,” he said.

Real Salt Lake will look to rebound Sunday on the road against LA Galaxy.

“For me, it’s making sure that the guys stay healthy, the guys are fit so that we can play the way that we like. So we’ll see how the guys recover tomorrow and then make decisions for the weekend. But as far as the mentality to bounce back, there’s no doubt that we’ll be ready for the game, and then just taking the lessons that we’ve learned from our previous seven games as to how we find the result on Sunday,” Mastroeni said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inter Miami CF midfielder 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 midfielder 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

Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) spins away from Inter Miami CF midfielder 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 midfielder Lionel Messi (10) spins away from Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) and Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) tries to kick the ball away from Inter Miami CF midfielder 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

Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) clears the ball during the first half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Inter Miami defender Noah Allen (32) attempts to cross the ball around Real Salt Lake forward Zavier Gozo (72) during the first half of an MLS game 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

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) shoots past Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad (15) during the first half of an MLS game 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

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) arrives 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 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) dribbles against Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) celebrates before having the goal called back during the first half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) dribbles 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 CF midfielder 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 midfielder 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

Inter Miami CF midfielder 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

Amber Pufall, Aliyah Pufall and Mikiya Pufall of Idaho talk prior to entering the stadium as RSL and Inter Miami prepare to play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez (9) dumptrucks Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral (1) leaps to block a shot 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 Luis Suárez (9) motions with his finger to the crowd after scoring a goal as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral (1) leaps to grab the ball before Inter Miami CF forward Tadeo Allende (21) can kick it 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 defender Maximiliano Falcón (37) runs into the back of Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) is fouled by Inter Miami CF defender Noah Allen (32) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Four F-35’s from Hill Air Force Base perform a flyover prior RSL and Inter Miami playing at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral (1) slides to brab the ball as Inter Miami CF forward Germán Berterame (19) and Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) fall around him as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) kicks the ball into the face of Inter Miami CF defender Maximiliano Falcón (37) as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) and Inter Miami CF defender Gonzalo Luján (2) have words as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) celebrates after scoring a goal that was disallowed as RSL and Inter Miami play at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Juan Manuel Sanabria (8) controls the ball during the second half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) reacts after a call during the second half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, 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

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. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) battles for a ball with Inter Miami defender Micael (16) during the first half of an MLS game 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

Real Salt Lake forward Zavier Gozo (72) punches the ground after having a shot saved during the second half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, 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

Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) reacts after missing a chance during the second half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) dribbles past Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón (37) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Fans cheer as Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) walks to take a corner 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

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

Players and coaches celebrate after Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) scored Inter Miami’s second goal of the game 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

Real Salt Lake forward Aiden Hezarkhani (39) looks on during the second half of an MLS game against Inter Miami at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake forward Zavier Gozo (72) shoots past Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia (8) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Inter Miami players celebrate after a goal by Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) 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 goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (97) celebrates after the final whistle as Inter Miami defeats Real Salt Lake 2-0 in an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) fouls Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) during the second half of an MLS game 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

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael (1) makes a save during the first half of an MLS game against Inter Miami 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

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