Lionel Messi doesn’t need to play in front of his own supporters to get a standing ovation.
The Argentine football legend proved that this weekend when playing a friendly for Inter Miami in Honduras.
The MLS side were playing at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in their latest pre-season clash as they took on Paraguayan side C.D Olimpia.
In a one-sided encounter, it was Miami who claimed an emphatic 5-0 win with Messi being the star of the show.
Playing just 63 minutes of the match, Messi scored one goal and provded two assists before being replaced by Santiago Morales as new boss Javier Mascherano made wholesale changes.
But such was the 37-year-old star’s impact on the game, fans at the 37,000-capacity Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano rose to their feet to show their appreciation for the superstar.
As well as rapturous applause and cheers, chants of ‘Messi! Messi! Messi!’ could be heard – an incredible thing to hear from fans who were grateful to get a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Such was the support on offer, Messi took to social media after the game to express his appreciation.
On Instagram he wrote: “Adding up the minutes of preparation.
“Thank you for everything, Honduras!!”
The clash with C.D Olimpia represented the final match of Inter Miami’s tour of Latin America.
The club will play one more friendly match – a fixture with Orlando City next weekend – before the real action gets underway.
A Concacaf Champions Cup first round clash with Sporting KC starts the season on Wednesday, February 19, with the second leg taking place a week later.
Sandwiched between those two dates is their MLS opener as they host New York City at Chase Stadium on Saturday, February 22.
They’ll also compete in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup later this year after being drawn into a group with Al Ahly, FC Porto and SE Palmeiras.
