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Lionel Messi keeps stealing the spotlight, and though Inter Miami settled for a 0-0 stalemate against the Chicago Fire, the Argentine maestro nearly unleashed a breathtaking goal in MLS-one that could have ranked among his all-time masterpieces.
Making his long-awaited Chicago debut, Messi delivered a dazzling performance that captivated fans, even without finding the net.
Messi's heart-stopping near-miss against Chicago Fire
As captured on video, Messi's audacious attempt at a wondergoal fell just short, one of four golden opportunities he crafted in a match that left Javier Mascherano's squad unable to clinch victory.
Messi's Chicago milestone
The Inter Miami No. 10, sidelined by injury during the team's prior two trips to Chicago, finally took the stage Sunday, drawing a jaw-dropping 62,358 fans-a new franchise record.
The previous high came in October 2023, when 62,124 spectators watched Chicago dominate Inter Miami 4-1.
Inter Miami will face the Columbus Crew in their next match on April 19, just days before their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 24.
In the current season, Inter Miami is one of two teams that remain undefeated. In fact, the Columbus Crew is the other squad sharing this distinction in MLS, meaning both will put their unbeaten streaks on the line.