Football festival restricts Messi Q&A to 'greatest of all time' figures

A football festival, co-organized by FIFA and held in New York, offered fans a multi-day experience culminating in a highly anticipated event. Attendees paid around 75 euros for access, which included opportunities to visit sports brand stands, purchase merchandise, attend podcast recordings, and watch celebrity game shows. For those seeking closer interactions, photo opportunities with former Brazilian international Kaká were available for approximately $250, with even higher-profile celebrities commanding greater prices.

The festival's main attraction was a session featuring the national coaches and captains of the finalist teams, Spain and Argentina, including Lionel Messi. However, the organization of this event led to some logistical issues and a departure from traditional press conferences. While the Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente and player Rodri were present, the Argentinian delegation, including Messi, coach Lionel Scaloni, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, arrived later than scheduled.

Compounding the delay, the event's presenter, comedian Kevin Hart, announced a unique Q&A format: "Only goats can talk to goats," referring to the "greatest of all time" (GOAT) designation. This meant that only other renowned sports figures, such as tennis star Novak Djokovic, were permitted to ask questions directly to Messi. This selective approach to media interaction, despite the presence of numerous journalists, highlighted the festival's focus on creating a spectacle around its star attractions rather than facilitating open discourse.