STORY: Soccer legend Lionel Messi was on hand in Miami to crown the world’s best 1v1 men’s and women’s soccer players on Friday (September 19) night for the inaugural ‘Mas+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown’ - a brand-new global search for the world’s most talented ‘ballers’.

The final showdown in Miami brought together the best of the best from around the world for a chance to compete under the watchful eye of Messi himself, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

The tournament, which kicked off on August 2 in Los Angeles, travelled to Toronto, London and Dublin, providing a platform for aspiring 1v1 players to shine.

After intense, head-to-head showdowns, Messi helped to announce the winners in front of the crowd, with 29- year-old Melanie Russo from Miami winning the women’s crown and Evan Deasy from Cork in Ireland claiming the men’s crown. The victors each received $5,000, a specially-crafted World Crown and the ultimate prize of getting to shake hands with Messi himself.

Deasy admitted it was ‘crazy’ playing in front of Messi but said he didn’t think about it while he was playing and it was only after he shook his hand and was presented with the trophy that he realised it was a ‘crazy moment’ for him and his family.

The Messi-backed ‘Mas+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown’ is a new soccer concept which aims to redefine how the next generation of men and women players make their name, uncovering grassroots talent and creating a new platform for the future of soccer. The intense 1v1 battles celebrate raw skill, creativity, and street soccer essence.

Messi said it is exciting to be able to provide this new platform for up and coming talented players and said ‘this is what we used to play when I was very young, we played 1v1 on the streets. And this is the way you challenge yourself against another player’.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 19, 2025) (MAS+ BY MESSI 1V1 WORLD CROWN - Access all)

1. VARIOUS SPECTATORS AT THE MAS+ BY MESSI 1V1 WORLD CROWN VENUE

2. EVENT LOGO ON CARPET, PAN UP TO EVENT SIGN

3. LIONEL MESSI ENTERING ARENA TO WATCH ACTION

4. DRONE SHOT OF MATCH ARENA

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER LEGEND LIONEL MESSI, SAYING:

‘It is really nice to be able to share this opportunity and provide a platform for the form of the game that is one v one football. It is super exciting to watch and so engaging that you can't take your eye off the game and I enjoy it a lot.’

6. VARIOUS OF MATCH ACTION

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER LEGEND LIONEL MESSI, SAYING:

'Basically, this is what we used to play when I was very young, we played 1v1 on the streets. And this is the way you challenge yourself against another player. Football is a game of 11 players but it is always one player that provides that special moment. So it is really enjoyable to watch 1v1 because of this."

8. VARIOUS OF EVAN DEASY SECURING THE WINNING MOMENT TO BECOME CHAMPION

9. MESSI HANDING EVAN DEASY THE WINNER’S CROWN

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EVAN DEASY, MAS+ BY MESSI WORLD CROWN MEN’S WINNER, SAYING:

‘It was crazy. I wasn’t really thinking about it and I was just paying attention to who I was playing against. But afterwards when Messi shook my hand and everything it was crazy. A crazy moment for me and my family."

11. VARIOUS OF MELANIE RUSSO SECURING WINNING MOMENT TO BECOME WOMEN'S CHAMPION

MESSI HANDING MELANIE RUSSO WINNER’S CROWN

12. SOUNDBITE (English) MELANIE RUSSO, MAS+ BY MESSI WORLD CROWN WOMEN’S WINNER, SAYING:

"It is crazy. I love 1v1. I always have, it’s my favourite part of soccer and sports in general so I am really grateful to have had the opportunity and I’m so happy. I am ecstatic."

13. WINNERS POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH MESSI

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER LEGEND LIONEL MESSI, SAYING:

‘‘The world is full of great players playing football on the streets. From my experience in Argentina, there is a love of these great players, ones that for one reason or another never made it as a professional. The world is full of great players like this, exciting players and this platform enables them to show off their talents."

15. DRONE SHOT OF WINNERS POSING FOR A SELFIE WITH MESSI