FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi is living in the moment, which means that next on his list is bringing Inter Miami its first MLS Cup.
As for two years from now, when the World Cup comes to the United States, he’s making no promises.
“I always said things happen for a reason,” Messi said Thursday after becoming the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, created by the Spanish sports media outlet.
“I live day to day and for everything that happens in the moment. When that moment arrives, we will see. Truth is, I don’t really think ahead. I want to be happy. I look at that more than if I’ll be able to play.”
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The award, presented on a patio at Chase Stadium overlooking the field where Messi and his teammates will begin chasing that MLS title next week, honors the Argentinian for his contributions to the sport. MARCA, a Spanish sports media outlet (think ESPN), recently expanded to the United States.
Messi, 37, was hailed by the presenters as an artist, an inspiration and the “champion of champions.” That last quote is from Miami billionaire Jorge Mas, co-owner of Inter Miami and one of the men responsible for bringing Messi to South Florida.
“His career in futbol has no equals,” Mas said.
That is unless someone can come close to Messi’s ridiculously long list of accomplishments that includes eight Ballon d’Or awards as the best player in the world and being the most decorated player in the sport with 102 titles, 48 of those major.
The most significant, the 2022 World Cup, Messi acknowledged Thursday was his “biggest dream.”
Messi admitted all the individual awards, “sometimes get lost in the shuffle with all the titles I have won.”
The timing for this award was perfect. Just 48 hours before hoisting yet another award, Messi scored three goals and added two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Bolivia in South American World Cup qualifying in Buenos Aires.
The moment was not lost on Messi.
“I love playing futbol,” he said. “I love being on the field. In Argentina, I enjoyed a moment that was absolutely packed, singing my name, my teammates names. That is for me the max.”
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Messi said the experience was “emotional,” and after the match he said is “taking all the love from the people because I know these can be my last games.
“As the end nears, feelings are going to become greater. The emotions are going to be greater. You are going to value so much more different things you don’t always take into consideration.”
But that end is not coming soon, at least not in immediate future.
Messi has another team trophy to hoist, which would mean another parade for Fort Lauderdale to plan along the beach after the Florida Panthers set the bar in June.
Inter Miami has clinched the best record in the MLS, which means every postseason game (after the best-of-three first round) will be in the cozy stadium covered in pink, as DRV PINK once held the naming rights. MLS playoffs are single-elimination after the first round.
And Messi will not be satisfied if he does not add to that overcrowded trophy case.
“The move to Miami wasn’t a sign of me wanting to retire,” he said. “This is a sign of me still wanting to be great. This is new. This is a growth and to win title. That’s what we want to do.
“I feel good now. I feel strong. I want to finish the season best way possible.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
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