The author reflects on the significance of Lionel Messi to soccer fans worldwide, particularly in his native Argentina, as he grew up idolizing him both as a soccer player and as a beloved son of a country that has often turned to him for hope. The author recalls her first time seeing Messi play in a soccer match in Buenos Aires in March 2023, when she and her mom attended a friendly game with over 80,000 other fans at Estadio Monumental in Argentina. The event was held at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, with a crowd of nearly equal numbers of both Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami jerseys. Despite the country outside the stadium being suffering from severe economic issues, the event was a celebration of a childhood dream for fans like Messi.