When you’re the GOAT…: the training-ground wondergoal that shook the MLS and went viral

(By Ortega, from Miami) In what looked like a lighthearted training session, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul sparked a moment that transcended the pitch. A left-footed strike from Messi, taken from behind the goal with his signature precision, found the net—triggering an ovation from a teammate who’s newsworthy in his own right: De Paul.

(Read time: 3 minutes)

“When a player of Messi’s stature trains, he’s not just playing; he’s teaching how to convert experience into social and economic value for the city and the league.”

When you’re the GOAT… you’re the GOAT

Captured on video and amplified by MLS, this moment became a mirror of two intertwined realities: elite-level discipline and excellence, and the broader economic and social impact that a global icon can generate for a growth league like MLS and a dynamic market like Miami.

Watch this outrageous goal:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPKsTPDDZSm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=bzl6NTFoenE5c2ds

Messi, De Paul, and the economic, marketing, and football pulse of Inter Miami

Sporting context and narrative

The viral clip sweeping the world: a Messi–De Paul training sequence capped by a wondergoal from behind the goal—underscoring Messi’s continued presence at the pinnacle and his influence on teammates’ performance.

Competitive context: Inter Miami advances to the next MLS round with recent momentum and playoff ambitions, aiming to solidify a high-performance identity under Javier Mascherano.

Style and tactics: the play showcases Messi’s technical precision, De Paul’s instant read and reaction, and the squad’s capacity to turn training micro-moments into competitive outcomes.

Technical description of the action: The strike synced with the rhythm of the rondo and the gaze of teammates, drawing immediate admiration.

De Paul’s reaction: instant celebration, an embrace, and recognition—evidence of the connection between world champions who share a competitive history.

News context: The session followed a 1–1 draw with Toronto FC; the moment became proof of Messi’s ability to turn a drill into a spectacle—with strategic implications for the team.

Linking performance and brand value: Every on-field action from Messi has repeatedly shown its power to elevate team output and attract global attention—translating into brand equity, sponsor revenue, and fanbase growth.

Locker-room impact: Celebrity and competitiveness in a rising team intensify when stars train together and show cohesion; at Inter Miami, that effect becomes team messaging and the perception of a sustained high-performance project.

Messi’s raw trajectory: 884 goals and 392 assists in 1,125 professional matches; with Inter Miami, 66 goals and 31 assists in 78 appearances—refining his legacy alongside Barcelona and the Argentine national team.

Read Smart, Be Smarter!

https://infonegocios.miami/suscribite-al-newsletter

Infonegocios NETWORK: 4.5 million Anglo-Latinos united by a passion for business.

Join us and stay informed:

Contact Infonegocios MIAMI:

marcelo.maurizio@gmail.com

[email protected]

Tu opinión enriquece este artículo:

Ingresar con Google

Miami

Desde Miami: la maestría estratégica de Messi, Stanley 1913 y el "Ecosistema de Experiencia" que redefinen el marketing en 2026 (con Adidas)

(Por Ortega-Maqueda y Maurizio) En un mundo saturado de publicidad, donde el consumidor siente una fatiga de marca sin precedentes, surge un fenómeno que trasciende la colaboración: el Ecosistema de Experiencia. No se trata de un simple endorsement; se trata de la construcción de un microcosmos narrativo donde la marca, el ícono y la audiencia co-crean valor.