Speed in black shirt, was waiting for Messi in the tunnel
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener between Inter Miami and Al Ahly may have ended goalless on the pitch, but one off-the-ball moment quickly stole the spotlight online.
Lionel Messi appeared to ignore internet sensation and die-hard Cristiano Ronaldo fan, IShowSpeed, as he emerged from the tunnel for the second half.
The viral American streamer, known for his loud and unpredictable antics, was pitchside at the Hard Rock Stadium and tried to get Messi’s attention with a shout and a wave as the Argentine walked out with his teammates.
But the World Cup winner didn’t respond, not even a glance, sparking a wave of online reactions and memes.
For many fans, it was a moment loaded with subtext, given Speed’s long-standing obsession with Ronaldo, often positioning him as the GOAT in contrast to Messi.
While the internet buzzed with clips of the incident, Messi kept his focus firmly on the game. His Inter Miami side were being held 0-0 by Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and he was looking to make an impact in the second half after a quiet opening 45 minutes.
Miami had been under heavy pressure, with goalkeeper Óscar Ustari pulling off a string of remarkable saves, including a penalty stop from Trézéguet, to keep the MLS side in it.
Messi nearly delivered a moment of magic late on when he curled a trademark effort toward the top corner, only to be denied by a fingertip save from Mohamed El Shenawy that pushed the ball onto the crossbar, the closest either side came to scoring in the tight and dramatic opener.
Watch the video below:
FKA/AE
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
