Lionel Messi fever gripped Los Angeles on Sunday night, as Inter Miami CF faced LAFC in their most recent meeting.
LAFC already had high attendance (11th in MLS with an average of 22,102 supporters), but BMO Stadium was packed to the rafters
with Messi and Inter Miami CF bringing arguably the largest sports extravaganza in the United States to the City of Angels.
Actor and LAFC fan Owen Wilson appreciates how exciting Messi's presence in Major League Soccer has been, which is why he was among the numerous celebrities who turned out to see him play.
Wilson is reminded of another global soccer player who moved to the United States to continue his illustrious career.
Pelé, like Messi, astonished the entire world when he agreed to sign a three-year, $7 million contract with the New York Cosmos in the former North American Soccer League in 1975.
Because so many people wanted to watch Pelé, the Cosmos moved their games from Randall's Island to Giants Stadium.
On his debut, the Cosmos set a North American attendance record of 77,691 and a record 10 million viewers.