The Auburn Tigers hit a grand slam by hosting a FIFA World Cup friendly between Argentina and Iceland, which the former won 3-0, on Tuesday night. Wrong sport with that analogy, but it's hard to find a better sporting analogy to describe the product AU received and provided to the fanbase. It may as well have been a bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off grand slam while down three, because Jordan-Hare Stadium witnessed one of the greatest soccer players of all time score on Pat Dye Field. Auburn saw something that cannot be put into words or itemized on a receipt.
Everyone was ready for the moment that Messi got to finally check in during the 68th minute. Everyone was ready for his goal on a penalty kick in the 70th minute. There was tension for most of the game about whether or not the JHS crowd was going to see something special. To know if they got their money's worth.
They did. Without question. And so did the city of Auburn. So did Auburn University. So did every single business downtown that welcomed all visitors from all over the world. It was a cultural victory that hopefully carries spirits forward into the American football season in a few months. The wait was worth it. The wait made it better.
We knew Messi was going to play based on pregame reports, but there were legitimate questions when the first half came and went and he didn't show up. Until he was warming up, everyone was sitting on their hands. Once he was on the sidelines, we knew something special was about to happen.
Once he lined up for the penalty kick? Forget it. A movie scene ensued. It was as if everything fell into place perfectly. Everyone got to get their camera angles ready for both moments. Messi gave the Yellowhammer State the ultimate memory, and everyone got to breathe and experience it at a steady pace.
10/10. No notes.
Texas A&M being let down before Auburn got Messi made it even better
Can one from the Auburn family feel bad for the fans in College Station who paid to see Messi and didn't, but also celebrate the fact that the eight-time Ballon d'Or honoree chose the state of Alabama over Texas and the Loveliest Village over the 12th Man to play in a friendly? Absolutely.
The Lone Star State will have action in Dallas and Houston. Alabama got one game during North America's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi made it count and then some. The visitors who came to town and embraced the local culture, and the gracious hosts, also made it count.
In an era of frequently feeling underserved by what big organizations are offering, Tuesday was a breath of fresh air. With all of the oil money the Texas A&M Aggies possess, they couldn't buy Messi at Kyle Field. Marcel Reed had a nice jersey swap with Messi, but that will be forgotten by most.
No one in Alabama who witnessed Messi take the field under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium and score within two minutes will ever forget it. Oh, what a night.
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