Messi Mania comes to Chicago

Batten down the hatches, Chicago. "Hurricane Lionel '' has been cited off the East coast of Florida and is coming our way. The expected landing is October 4th, but strong "winds'' will be felt wayyyy before that.

Yes, It's going to be a little bit crazy the week leading up to October 4th, as Messi Mania will be in full force herein the city of Chicago, with the world's most popular athlete making an appearance at Soldier Field for his new team Inter Miami as they take on our very own Chicago Fire soccer team.

Record crowds are expected, and getting tickets? It might be harder than trying to slam a revolving door—but more on that in a few paragraphs.

First, for the uninitiated, Messi Mania refers to the greatest player in the world's most popular sport, soccer—Lionel Messi.

Messi stands only about five feet six inches tall, but in sports stature and what most of the world calls "the beautiful game," he stands taller than all the rest. Widely considered one of the greatest soccer players ever, Messi is fresh off his most significant accomplishment, leading his Argentina team to the recently completed World Cup Championship in Qatar.

Messi has already won 44 different title trophies in his career and has been named Ballon d'Or (the annual award given to the best player in the world) an extraordinary seven different times!

His skill level is off the charts. He controls the ball with his foot, particularly in tight traffic, as if it were attached to him. He has cat-like quickness and extraordinary change of direction athleticism. He sees plays even before they unfold and is a remarkable passer and set-up man for his teammates. And when is it time for him to shoot? The ball rockets off his foot with a velocity that defies his small stature.

Recently, Messi shocked most of the soccer world (fútbol as it is known to most) by announcing he was leaving the uber-competitive Euro league and joining the MLS by signing with the Inter Miami team.

The splash heard around the United States soccer world with that announcement could have caused a storm surge.

How popular is Messi? How big was this announcement here in the States?

How about viewership for his MLS games up 15 times what they were before. Or ticket prices in the five figures (if you have $20,000 to shell out for good seats, you have a chance). How about eBAY searches for his soccer jersey going up 75%, or the fact that his new jersey was the highest-selling "new team" jersey in sports history, surpassing Lebron when he went to the Lakers, Tom Brady with Tampa Bay and even fellow soccer hero Ronaldo when he signed with Manchester United.

We're talking about rare air here, folks.

Not surprisingly, his Miami team has been on a roll since Messi joined. Before he arrived, they had a ten-game winless streak. Since he has joined? They have won 10 games, tied one, and have yet to lose in games he has played. A turnaround of epic proportions, all on the backs of this marvelous machine, who is no spring chicken at the age of 36. But he shows no signs, yet anyway, of slowing down.

Messi has scored a remarkable eleven goals in eleven games with his new team and another eight assists to go along. Those, again, for the uninitiated, are Babe Ruthian numbers in the soccer world.

So, what will the city of Chicago look like the week leading up to the big game? What might we expect to see?

Well, for one, there will be a lot of pink jerseys, and it won't be for Barbie! Messi's new team colors with his Miami team are bright pink, and many folks walking our fine city's streets will proudly don their pink jersey with the ever-present "Messi" on the back.

In addition, you likely will see many out-of-towners and native Chicagoans of European heritage who will be carrying flags, honking horns, wearing jerseys, and proudly kicking up our sports adrenaline here in Chicago for their favorite player.

Of course, Chicagoans of native Argentinian descent will be especially proud of their hometown favorite and will make their heritage and native country well known this week. Look for a fun, enthusiastic crowd to gather on the south steps of the Field Museum, both before game and post-game— singing songs, cheers, and chants, all with the Argentinian flag flying proudly.

Like I said at the top, it might get wild very soon here in Chicago. Batten down the hatches, for sure.

Messi Mania is coming! So, be safe out there.