Hours before kickoff at the CFP National Championship game in Miami Gardens, Florida, Inter Miami captainLionel Messi was spotted buying up Miami Hurricanes gear.
Clips of the soccer legend show him casually perusing racks of Hurricanes merchandise and snapping a few items into his cart.
While it’s not confirmed whether he’ll attend the big game inside Hard Rock Stadium, the moment has already set off a wave of intrigue among fans of both soccer and American football.
Messi‘s presence in Miami since joining Inter Miami in 2023 has transformed the local sports landscape.
His arrival elevated MLS’s national profile and expanded his visibility far beyond soccer pitches, and this latest sighting at a Miami mall showcases how his influence now intersects with other vibrant sports cultures in the U.S.
The Miami Hurricanes, a storied college football program, boast one of the nation’s most passionate fan bases.
Their official team store offers a broad array of licensed merchandise, from jerseys to hats and other fan gear – designed for supporters of the Hurricanes‘ gridiron exploits.
Miami dealing with key absences
Both teams are facing major absences ahead of the game.
For the Hurricanes, sophomore cornerback Xavier Lucas will be absent for the first half following a targeting ejection late in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
His eight passes defended this season led the Hurricanes, and missing him early could force Miami to rely on less experienced secondary help against Indiana‘s No.1 passing attack.
Tight end Elija Lofton, Miami‘s fourth-leading receiver with 218 yards and three touchdowns this season, is ruled out after suffering an injury in the semifinal win over Ole Miss.
In addition to Lucas and Lofton, Miami also lists linebacker Malik Bryant, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw, and defensive lineman Donta Simpson as out. Defensive back Damari Brown is questionable, leaving the Hurricanes‘ depth in flux heading into kickoff.
If Brown is cleared, he would provide some reinforcements for a secondary already thin without Lucas in the first half and OJ Frederique, who has limited recent game action.
Hoosiers largely intact, but losses still significant
Indiana‘s injury list is headlined by defensive lineman Stephen Daley, who remains out after a spectacular season cut short by a knee injury suffered while celebrating the Big Ten championship win.
Daley‘s 19 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks led a unit that has nevertheless held firm in his absence.
Defensive backs Jah Jah Boyd, Amariyun Knighten, and Bryson Bonds, along with defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt and running back Lee Beebe Jr., are also out. Linebacker Andrew DePaepe joins that list.
Indiana kicker Brendan Franke, who has been dealing with a groin issue and sat out much of the season, was upgraded to probable after practicing late in the week.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has previously emphasized that Indiana‘s key contributors from the Peach Bowl are expected to be available here, providing some continuity and confidence for a team that has already dispatched Ohio State, Alabama, and Oregon in its postseason run.