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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Inter Miami in Champions Cup action</li><li>Temperature dropped well below freezing</li><li>Official made a point of asking for No.10 jersey</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Revealed: Referee beat MLS stars to Lionel Messi shirt request – with match official landing prized memento after braving freezing -22C temperatures in Kansas City

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Inter Miami CF

Sporting Kansas City

<p>The Argentine superstar lined up against MLS rivals in Inter Miami’s opening CONCACAF Champions Cup clash of 2025. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-delivers-stunning-winner-in-coldest-game-in-career-in-inter-miami-s-1-0-win-vs-sporting-kc-in-the-concacaf-champions-cup-round-1-first-leg/blt06e9d5ee5c090b2b" target="_blank">registered his first official goal of the calendar year</a> in said contest, which was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 win.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi and Co had to contend with some remarkable playing conditions in Kansas City, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-human-inter-miami-boss-javier-mascherano-stunned-freezing-temperatures-kansas-champions-cup-win-lionel-messi-first-competitive-goal-2025/blt9b14224e63f6241d" target="_blank">temperatures dropping to -8 degrees Fahrenheit (-22C) by half-time</a>. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-freezing-tuesday-night-kansas-inter-miami-superstar-skip-sporting-kc-trip-bitterly-cold-temperatures/blt019b6bab66eebe46" target="_blank">made sure to wrap up against the elements</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>He will have been in rush to remove items of clothing at the final whistle, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/trophy-mls-stars-react-lionel-messi-shirt-swaps-inter-miami-12-jerseys/blt1620ad852a023e45" target="_blank">did agree to pass his No.10 shirt</a> on to another big fan. The man in question was Mexican official Marco Antonio Ortiz Nara, who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-lionel-messi-referee-deal-avoid-final-ban-argentina-superstar-shirt-official-rules/bltdad122caed9f519d" target="_blank">made his play at the end of 90 minutes</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It is reported by <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/43933798/ref-asks-lionel-messi-shirt-miami-win-kansas" target="_blank"><em>ESPN</em></a> that Messi passed over the prized possession in the dressing room afterwards, so as to avoid any controversy on the field. He will be back in MLS action on Sunday, as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-wants-mls-cup-win-inter-miami-star-vows-come-back-stronger-play-off-heartache-herons-2024/blt2549de8b8cf2103e" target="_blank">another bid for ultimate glory gets underway</a> there, when Inter Miami play host to New York City FC.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Revealed: Referee beat MLS stars to Lionel Messi shirt request – with match official landing prized memento after braving freezing -22C temperatures in Kansas City | Goal.com

Lionel Messi is accustomed to fielding shirt swap requests, but saw the match referee ask for his jersey during a freezing meeting with Sporting KC.

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