Hometown Dreams Collide: Houston Dynamo Players Prepare to Face Idol Lionel Messi
When Lionel Messi and Inter Miami step onto the pitch at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston this weekend for a highly anticipated "Sunday Night Soccer" clash, the experience will be particularly special for two Houston Dynamo players. Defenders Franco Escobar and striker Ezequiel Ponce, both natives of Rosario, Argentina, and graduates of the same youth system as Messi, Newell’s Old Boys, are poised to live out a dream facing their idol on the professional stage.
The Sunday night game, a primetime showcase orchestrated by Major League Soccer (MLS) and Apple TV, promises a captivating encounter as both teams seek their first league win of the season. But for Escobar and Ponce, the stakes extend beyond the immediate result. This match represents a unique opportunity to share the field with a player they have admired and emulated throughout their careers, a figure who embodies the pinnacle of soccer achievement.
Escobar, a seasoned MLS veteran with MLS Cup titles under his belt from his stints with Atlanta United and Los Angeles FC, harbors a profound admiration for Messi. This adoration is etched permanently onto his skin in the form of a large tattoo on his right thigh, depicting Messi triumphantly kissing the World Cup trophy. The image serves as a constant reminder of Messi’s extraordinary accomplishments and the collective joy he brought to Argentina with their World Cup victory in Qatar.
"It’s going to be something very beautiful for me that will remain in my memories until the day I no longer play," Escobar expressed in an interview with USA TODAY Sports. "For me, the best player in history. It’s something very beautiful that doesn’t happen every day, and it’s going to be a very beautiful game and a very beautiful memory for me and for all of us."
The tattoo itself is a testament to Escobar’s dedication to his idol. He endured four hours of pain and spent approximately $400 during a trip back to Argentina to have the artwork done shortly after the World Cup win. He watched the last World Cup intently, like all of Argentina did, hoping Messi would have the defining moment of his legendary career. "It hurt a lot, but the result was worth the pain," Escobar said with pride. "The truth is that I admire him a lot. I always hoped and was confident that he was going to win the World Cup with Argentina, and that was the tattoo I was waiting for. He has to have the biggest trophy in football. He has to have it. He’s the best. Then, thank God, he was able to win it and make us all happy."
Ponce, who proudly wears the number 10 jersey, a symbol synonymous with Messi’s brilliance, shares Escobar’s excitement and reverence. He is equally motivated by the opportunity to compete against Messi and Inter Miami’s other former Barcelona stars, including Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
"I think it’s very important to face figures like Leo, like Luis, like Sergio, Jordi and all the people around them, too," Ponce remarked. "It’s going to be a nice challenge to take on. It’s important for us because it could be a big turning point in our season, being able to compete, and do well, and get the three points. We look at it from that point of view, and having Leo here motivates everyone. Just proud to have him around."
The task of containing Messi on the field presents a formidable challenge for the Dynamo defense. Messi has already displayed his exceptional form early in the season, with two goals and two assists in three matches. Slowing him down will be crucial if Houston hopes to secure a victory.
Escobar acknowledges the difficulty of marking Messi, recognizing his relentless desire to win. "It’s going to be difficult. It’s very difficult to mark him, to control him. It’s almost impossible, if not impossible. I’ll try to put aside the fanaticism and admiration one has for him for just 90 minutes," Escobar said. "It’s going to be intense. A player like him generates something in his opponents, in his own teammates, that must be unusual. I haven’t had to face him, but I’ve heard many players say the same thing – that his presence alone is different, and you know that every time he gets hold of the ball, something can happen."
He added, "I haven’t played against a player who touches the ball anywhere on the pitch and you’re thinking something could happen. It could end up as a goal, even if he’s got two players on him marking him. So, you have to be very careful. Anyway, it’s going to be a very nice experience, and hopefully with a happy ending for us."
While Escobar and Ponce are eager to experience the thrill of competing against Messi, they are also mindful of the importance of securing a positive result for their team. Houston lost their season opener to FC Dallas and are determined to bounce back against Inter Miami.
The match marks Messi’s first appearance against Houston. He was sidelined with an injury when Houston defeated Inter Miami in the U.S. Open Cup final on September 27, 2023.
Beyond the game’s outcome, Escobar and Ponce are hopeful for the chance to obtain a tangible memento of this special occasion. They both plan to ask Messi for his jersey after the match, an experience they would cherish regardless of the final score.
"I think all my teammates are going to want to have his shirt, but let’s see if – because he’s Argentinian from Rosario – we have a little advantage," Escobar said. "God willing, if he has room to leave me his jersey, it would be an honor to have it at home."
As the anticipation builds for Sunday night’s clash, the story of Escobar and Ponce provides a compelling narrative beyond the on-field competition. It highlights the profound impact that Lionel Messi has had on aspiring soccer players around the world, particularly in his hometown of Rosario. For these two Dynamo players, the opportunity to share the field with their idol represents the culmination of a lifelong dream, a moment that will undoubtedly be etched in their memories for years to come.
Beyond this weeks game, Messi is already off to a fast start in 2025. He scored two goals in two matches against Sporting Kansas City to help Inter Miami advance 4-1 on aggregate score to the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.Messi had two assists in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw to open the MLS season Saturday against New York City FC. He was also fined by the league’s disciplinary committee for inappropriately squeezing the back of an opposing coach’s neck as the match concluded.
