What happened: Inter Miami marked Lionel Messi's birthday with a tribute to its captain, posting "Another year of Leo. Another year of magic. Feliz cumple, Capitán." The club's message drew a wave of replies from supporters and fellow clubs joining the celebration.

Why it matters: Messi remains the centerpiece of Inter Miami's project and the most recognizable figure in MLS, and the birthday salute underscores his standing as the franchise's talisman heading into the 2026 campaign. Tributes from across the soccer world reflected how central he is to the club's identity and global profile.

What to watch: Attention turns back to the pitch as Inter Miami continues its 2026 MLS regular-season schedule with Messi anchoring the side.