Even Captain America 'loves' Lionel Messi! Hollywood superstar Anthony Mackie expresses admiration towards Inter Miami captain & reveals his children's obsession with MLS

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi continues to wow audiences around the world with his exploits in MLS. He was named MVP of that competition in 2024 and is currently readying himself for more silverware bids that can enhance his standing as the most decorated player of all-time.

Mackie will be among those keeping an eye on how Messi is getting on, with the Hollywood actor – who has taken on the role of Captain America in the latest Marvel blockbuster – revealing that he is a fan of soccer, courtesy of his family, and the leading lights within that sport.

Mackie has told Clarin: “Everybody that knows soccer loves Messi. He’s the guy. My boys, all four of them play soccer. They know much more about soccer than I do, so there are certain players that they have their jerseys and they look up to. They are really into the idea of soccer becoming bigger in the States – with MLS – and taking them to games so they can experience it.”

‘The Hurt Locker’ and ‘8 Mile’ star went on to say that soccer generates an “energy” and “magnetism” that “can’t be matched in any other sport”. He has vowed to attend an Inter Miami game at some point in the near future.

Messi – who has broken out superhero-inspired goal celebrations in the not too distant past - should be on show there, with the World Cup-winning Argentine under contract in Florida through 2025. There is an option to extend that deal by a further 12 months, with the Herons confident that their talismanic captain will agree to remain in the United States.