Messi Mania Strikes Again: Record Crowd Witnesses Last-Minute Magic in Inter Miami Victory

In an electrifying clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, Inter Miami etched a memorable victory into the 2025 MLS season narrative, triumphing 1–0 over the previously unblemished Columbus Crew. While Lionel Messi's name didn’t grace the scoresheet, his influence was palpable, evidenced by the latest Major League Soccer attendance record set, a testament to his magnetic pull. It’s no secret to those of us who’ve been around the block in this game, that legends aren’t just made on the field. … and Messi, well, let’s just say he’s rewriting the playbook from all angles.

The match was ought to be thrilling; it was a showcase, featuring the MLS’s final two undefeated squads—Inter Miami and Columbus. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and the crowd size reflected that, with fans packed like sardines. Credit to Benjamin Cremaschi who—a young gun with nerves of steel—delivered an incredible first-half header, which became the decisive moment. The Herons held their voyais, propelling them to the coveted top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Despite Columbus’s relentless ball control, Messi was as dagger-like on the pitch as ever, his shots near… missed the mark, but off the pitch, his impact turned the dial. The Columbus Crew soared with an announcement that an astunashing 60,614 fans, filled Huntington Bank Stadium for this epic showdown. This set a new venue record for non-NFL events, you see, that’s something not seen since November 3, 2002, when the Browns vs. Steelers game set the overall record at 73,718. It’s these numbers that make you sit up and notice the wave of soccer fervor in the US of A!

Planning ahead, Columbus moved the match to the Cleveland Browns’ much larger stomping ground – an anticipation move paid

Inter Miami secured a thrilling 1–0 win over the previously unbeaten Columbus Crew in one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2025 MLS season. While Lionel Messi didn’t find the back of the net, the global icon continued to leave his mark—this time by setting another Major League Soccer attendance record.

Saturday’s match featured the league’s final two unbeaten teams, and the stakes drew a massive crowd. A first-half header from Benjamin Cremaschi proved to be the difference, as the Herons held on to leap to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Though Columbus controlled much of the possession, Messi remained a threat, coming close on multiple occasions. Still, the biggest impact the Argentine star has made may have come off the pitch.

Columbus Crew announced that 60,614 fans filled Huntington Bank Stadium for the highly anticipated showdown, setting a new record for the highest attendance at a non-NFL event at the venue. For context, the stadium’s overall attendance record is 73,718, set during a Browns vs. Steelers game on November 3, 2002.

Anticipating demand, the Crew moved the match from their regular home, Lower.com Field (capacity: 20,371), to the much larger home of the Cleveland Browns. It turned out to be the right call, with more than 60,000 fans turning up to catch a glimpse of Messi.

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This was the third time the Crew faced Inter Miami during the Messi era (following their 2024 League’s Cup and regular-season clashes), but the first played in a stadium of this magnitude. The move underscored Messi’s continued influence on the MLS and the sport’s popularity in the USA.

Back-to-back blockbusters

It marks the second straight week Inter Miami has set attendance records on the road. Just days earlier, Soldier Field hosted 62,358 fans for Inter Miami’s goalless draw against the Chicago Fire—another stadium record.

Inter Miami now prepares for their next marquee matchup, visiting the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. That game will be played at BC Place, a venue with a capacity of 54,500—another chance for Messi to drive a crowd to historic levels.