Lionel Messi, the undisputed maestro of modern soccer whose dazzling footwork and clutch goals have redefined the beautiful game, continues to inspire generations long after his on-field exploits. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi’s influence has exploded stateside, turning MLS into a global spectacle and skyrocketing his personal brand into new realms of innovation and philanthropy.
His latest venture, the hydration drink Más+ by Messi-co-founded with Mark Anthony Group-blends electrolytes, vitamins, and natural flavors like Miami Punch and Orange D’Or to fuel athletes without the artificial junk. To launch this powerhouse beverage, Messi hosted the groundbreaking Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown Tournament, a global hunt for street-ball wizards that wrapped with a star-studded finale in his adopted hometown of Miami, blending grassroots grit with high-stakes glamour.
First-Ever 1v1 World Crown Victors by Messi
The Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown Tournament exploded onto the scene this summer, scouring cities from Los Angeles to Toronto, London, and Dublin for raw talent before converging on Miami’s Wynwood Marketplace for the ultimate showdown.
What started as a grassroots quest turned into a pulse-pounding spectacle, complete with live art, Messi-signed swag giveaways, and the rhythmic beats of Miami’s Southern Legion 305 Band fueling the crowd. The semi-finals hit fever pitch when Messi himself strolled in to watch, his presence alone sending shockwaves through the packed venue.
In the end, two standouts claimed the throne: 18-year-old Evan Deasy from Cork, Ireland, and 29-year-old Melanie Russo from Miami. Messi personally placed the gleaming World Crowns on their heads-a custom masterpiece forged by jeweler Joe Bazanetti, the genius behind Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or rings-alongside $5,000 prizes each.
Deasy, a Dublin finalist, gushed about the emotional high: relocating to Ireland but reuniting with his family in the U.S. for the first time in three years, all under the gaze of the GOAT. Russo, a local hero, beamed about channeling her love for 1v1 battles to impress Messi and open doors beyond pro leagues.
Messi’s Lasting Legacy
Looking ahead, Messi’s horizon glows with milestones: captaining Argentina in the 2026 World Cup on home soil, a poetic bookend to his 2022 triumph, and headlining the grand opening of Inter Miami’s state-of-the-art stadium. These could cap a career that’s already etched in gold-eight Ballon d’Ors, a World Cup, and endless records.
Post these epics, whispers suggest the greatest of all time might hang up his boots, leaving a blueprint for blending sport, business, and inspiration that few can match. For now, though, Messi’s off-field empire, like Más+, keeps quenching the thirst for more magic.
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