Argentine star Lionel Messi of Inter Miami was the main attraction at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday, prompting chants of "Messi, Messi" and turning up the volume when he finally came on in the 61st minute against Toronto FC.

For those wearing the red and onyx colours of Toronto FC, it was more games, after the side’s 1-0 defeat to Miami at BMO Field in its regular-season finale saw time run out on the 2024 season, with later results ultimately condemning the side to a third successive year of missing the playoffs.

Messi is not the first world star to draw a crowd here. David Beckham, now co-owner of the Miami franchise, was always a star attraction at BMO Field when he played for the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2007 to 2012. Injuries and international duty, however, limited the England star’s appearances north of the border.

Inter Miami stands just one victory away from breaking the record for most points earned in a single Major League Soccer regular season after a last-minute 1-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field.

Despite having the MLS points record on the line, Tata Martino had to consider the long-term health of his stars on Saturday, resting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to begin their match at Toronto FC. After a first half when they should've trailed due to the strong attacking chances that Toronto created,

Soccer fans in Toronto, waiting patiently to see Lionel Messi, saw another Leo score on Saturday afternoon. Messi entered in the second half, while Leo Campana scored in extra time (90+3’) to help Inter Miami beat Toronto FC 1-0,

After much waiting and anticipation, Lionel Messi will not be featured in Inter Miami’s starting lineup against Toronto FC.