*Attached video: Signs go up at Huntington Bank Field
CLEVELAND (WJW) — When’s the last time you saw 60,000 Ohioans on their feet… cheering for soccer?
That was the scene this weekend in Downtown Cleveland, where the shores of Lake Erie sounded a lot less like a Browns tailgate—and a whole lot more like the World Cup.
Lionel Messi, arguably the most famous athlete on the planet, made his long-awaited Cleveland debut Saturday afternoon.
Huntington Bank Field, typically home to gridiron glory, was transformed into a global soccer stage—complete with slide tackles, booming chants, and yes, pyro.
Fans came from near and far, many just to catch a glimpse of the GOAT.
“We are here to see the GOAT, plain and simple. Viva Argentina,” said Steve Greene, who traveled in with his family just for the match.
“He is the gold standard in soccer,” added fan Cameron Burger. “Who wouldn’t want to see that?”
The matchup between Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew was hyped as a marquee early-season MLS clash, and it delivered. Not only were both teams undefeated coming in, but the electricity in the stands matched the intensity on the pitch.
“For someone like Messi to come to Cleveland… It’s like when Kobe came to town,” said fan Nick Salisbury. “You are seeing a GOAT.”
Fans packed the stadium hours before kickoff. Some came from just down the block, others from across state lines. But all shared the same sentiment: this was history.
“Coming to our hometown, Cleveland, and at Browns Stadium. This is a beautiful opportunity, once in a lifetime,” said Jonathan Harris.
Cleveland sports fans are no strangers to greatness. But seeing Messi live was something else entirely.
“We had LeBron here for all these years,” said Jordan Webb. “So it’s fitting to have Messi come to Cleveland.”
For one unforgettable Saturday, the roar at Browns Stadium wasn’t for touchdowns or takeaways—but for touches, tricks, and the towering presence of #10.
Messi took over the lakefront—and left a lasting mark on a city that knows its way around iconic sports moments.
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