Soccer superstar Lionel Messi draws crowd at F1 Miami Grand Prix

World Cup champion Lionel Messi belongs to Argentina, his home country.

But since arriving in the U.S. three years ago to play for Inter Miami CF, Messi has become a South Florida sensation. The global soccer superstar led Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup and is a two-time defending MLS MVP.

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So Messi’s celebrity visit to the paddock before F1’s Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 3, was not a surprise.

That doesn’t mean it didn’t cause an incredible stir among drivers and fans alike.

A guest of Mercedes

Messi attended the race with wife Antonela and their three sons just hours after scoring a goal during Inter Miami’s 4-3 loss to Orlando FC. He is a guest of Mercedes — he owns non-racing versions of the car and has made promotional appearances on behalf of the brand — and took photos outside the garage.

Due to a rainy forecast, the race was moved up three hours to 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Earlier in the week, Alpine F1 driver Franco Colapinto, who is from Argentina, made a dream come true when he met Messi at the Inter Miami training ground.

“It was a very special moment,” Colaptino said, per Motorsport.com. “It was something I had dreamt of all my life. If you ask any Argentinian who they want to meet, it’s Leo. I had the chance,”

World Cup decision

Up next for Messi is a decision about whether he will help Argentina defend its 2022 World Cup title. The Golden Ball winner has yet to announce whether he will play.

“I want him to be there. It’s up to him to decide,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said. “We hope he will be there.”

The 2026 World Cup will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico beginning June 11.