Justin Fields’ future was always going to be a primary plot line of the NFL’s 2024 offseason – however it seems the speculation is ramping up sooner than most expected given the annual scouting combine hasn’t even begun taking measurements. Thank you, social media.

Fields found himself explaining on ‘The St. Brown Brothers’ podcast with current Chicago Bears teammate Equanimeous St. Brown and his brother, Detroit Lions All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, why he had unfollowed the Bears on Instagram.

‘It’s something that I don’t want to spend my time on,” Fields said in part. “I’m about to go on vacation.”

Maybe a permanent one from Chicago.

After all, this comes at a time when there’s rampant buzz that the Bears, who hold the No. 1 pick of the upcoming draft for the second consecutive February, are poised to move on from Fields in order to select the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, former USC quarterback Caleb Williams. A year ago, Chicago stuck with Fields – he has shown numerous flashes as a run-pass threat despite an uneven supporting cast in the Windy City – and traded the top pick of the 2023 NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers, who played so poorly with rookie QB Bryce Young that the Bears wound up back atop the board. Now, given Williams’ talent – frequently and unfairly likened to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes’ – and the opportunity to reset their quarterbacking pay scale with a half-dozen or more seasons of contractual control, the rumors around Chicago and its current quarterback will likely persist much longer this year.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Said Fields: ‘I’m tired of hearing the talk. I just want it to be over.’

Soon, Justin. Soon. Probably.

If the Bears do indeed decide to move on from the man they dealt up to draft in 2021, these seven teams could be logical trade partners:

7. Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith has been an excellent bridge over the past two seasons, yet it still doesn’t appear like the 33-year-old is the ultimate destination – particularly after his production dipped and Seattle went from wild-card entry to out of the playoffs from 2022 to 2023. It would be easy enough financially to move on from Smith. The question might be whether GM John Schneider – never one to shy away from a gutsy move – would potentially turn over the 16th pick of the draft to Bears GM Ryan Poles given he has no second-rounder to offer.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Though there seems to be momentum for a longer-term union with Baker Mayfield on the heels of a surprising NFC South title, the Bucs currently don’t have a QB1 under contract. However their relative success in 2023 might cost (at least) the 26th pick of the draft if GM Jason Licht decides it’s sensible to pivot to a more athletic option like Fields, who certainly has more upside and less miles on him than Mayfield.

5. Las Vegas Raiders

They play in an exciting city fresh off a successful Super Bowl staging. They’ve got an exciting new coach in Antonio Pierce, who galvanized the team after replacing Josh McDaniels midway through last season. What they don’t have is an exciting quarterback and probably not one who’s the long-term answer … unless you’re an Aidan O’Connell truther. Pierce and newly hired GM Tom Telesco – he enjoyed an 11-year tenure with the Chargers in large thanks to the relative stability provided by QBs Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert – might only get one shot at addressing the position in a meaningful way. Would they rather have a semi-proven player like Fields or, say, roll those Vegas dice on somebody like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the 13th pick of the draft?

4. New England Patriots

It appears Mac Jones maxed out as a rookie – not that it was fair teaming him with two offensive coordinators and a pair of substitute teachers during his three seasons to date. With New England picking near the top of every round this year, including third overall, Poles could request several potential compensation packages to send Fields, who was drafted four spots before Jones, to Foxborough as the Pats continue to seek Tom Brady’s long-term successor.

3. Washington Commanders

A team that picks second overall – which feels awfully rich for Fields, whose rookie contract runs two more years assuming his fifth-year option for 2025 is picked up – might have just that much more juice to outbid New England in the event a bidding war materializes. Fields’ skill set would certainly seem to fit new OC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense well enough while providing an apparent upgrade to interception machine Sam Howell.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

They’re unfailingly in the postseason mix with HC Mike Tomlin calling the shots, yet haven’t actually won a playoff game in seven years. Diminished play, starting with now-retired Ben Roethlisberger’s late-career descent to the effective demotion of Kenny Pickett (a first-rounder in 2022) late last season, suggests it’s time to reboot behind center. Significantly switching gears at quarterback might cut against the DNA of an organization that values stability so deeply. But with Mitchell Trubisky already released and 2023 savior Mason Rudolph, who’s never shown enough in six seasons to be considered Big Ben’s permanent replacement, about to hit free agency, this could be the perfect time to take a big swing at remedying the problem – especially at a juncture when even talented young passers seem to move more freely around the league.

1. Atlanta Falcons

They’ve been shaping up as the ideal landing spot for Fields for some time. He’s a Georgia native who could join a club with a popular new head coach, Raheem Morris, in place while inheriting an offense that’s loaded with weaponry and seemingly only devoid of a worthy triggerman. Imagine Fields hitched to WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, RB Bijan Robinson and an underrated offensive line. Might even be worth the eighth overall pick for a club that was skewered for not pursuing Lamar Jackson a year ago but seems to be one bold move from becoming a perennial favorite in the eminently winnable NFC South.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

Justin Fields’ future was always going to be a primary plot line of the NFL’s 2024 offseason – however it seems the speculation is ramping up sooner than most expected given the annual scouting combine hasn’t even begun taking measurements. Thank you, social media.

Fields found himself explaining on ‘The St. Brown Brothers’ podcast with current Chicago Bears teammate Equanimeous St. Brown and his brother, Detroit Lions All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, why he had unfollowed the Bears on Instagram.

‘It’s something that I don’t want to spend my time on,” Fields said in part. “I’m about to go on vacation.”

Maybe a permanent one from Chicago.

After all, this comes at a time when there’s rampant buzz that the Bears, who hold the No. 1 pick of the upcoming draft for the second consecutive February, are poised to move on from Fields in order to select the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, former USC quarterback Caleb Williams. A year ago, Chicago stuck with Fields – he has shown numerous flashes as a run-pass threat despite an uneven supporting cast in the Windy City – and traded the top pick of the 2023 NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers, who played so poorly with rookie QB Bryce Young that the Bears wound up back atop the board. Now, given Williams’ talent – frequently and unfairly likened to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes’ – and the opportunity to reset their quarterbacking pay scale with a half-dozen or more seasons of contractual control, the rumors around Chicago and its current quarterback will likely persist much longer this year.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Said Fields: ‘I’m tired of hearing the talk. I just want it to be over.’

Soon, Justin. Soon. Probably.

If the Bears do indeed decide to move on from the man they dealt up to draft in 2021, these seven teams could be logical trade partners:

7. Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith has been an excellent bridge over the past two seasons, yet it still doesn’t appear like the 33-year-old is the ultimate destination – particularly after his production dipped and Seattle went from wild-card entry to out of the playoffs from 2022 to 2023. It would be easy enough financially to move on from Smith. The question might be whether GM John Schneider – never one to shy away from a gutsy move – would potentially turn over the 16th pick of the draft to Bears GM Ryan Poles given he has no second-rounder to offer.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Though there seems to be momentum for a longer-term union with Baker Mayfield on the heels of a surprising NFC South title, the Bucs currently don’t have a QB1 under contract. However their relative success in 2023 might cost (at least) the 26th pick of the draft if GM Jason Licht decides it’s sensible to pivot to a more athletic option like Fields, who certainly has more upside and less miles on him than Mayfield.

5. Las Vegas Raiders

They play in an exciting city fresh off a successful Super Bowl staging. They’ve got an exciting new coach in Antonio Pierce, who galvanized the team after replacing Josh McDaniels midway through last season. What they don’t have is an exciting quarterback and probably not one who’s the long-term answer … unless you’re an Aidan O’Connell truther. Pierce and newly hired GM Tom Telesco – he enjoyed an 11-year tenure with the Chargers in large thanks to the relative stability provided by QBs Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert – might only get one shot at addressing the position in a meaningful way. Would they rather have a semi-proven player like Fields or, say, roll those Vegas dice on somebody like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the 13th pick of the draft?

4. New England Patriots

It appears Mac Jones maxed out as a rookie – not that it was fair teaming him with two offensive coordinators and a pair of substitute teachers during his three seasons to date. With New England picking near the top of every round this year, including third overall, Poles could request several potential compensation packages to send Fields, who was drafted four spots before Jones, to Foxborough as the Pats continue to seek Tom Brady’s long-term successor.

3. Washington Commanders

A team that picks second overall – which feels awfully rich for Fields, whose rookie contract runs two more years assuming his fifth-year option for 2025 is picked up – might have just that much more juice to outbid New England in the event a bidding war materializes. Fields’ skill set would certainly seem to fit new OC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense well enough while providing an apparent upgrade to interception machine Sam Howell.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

They’re unfailingly in the postseason mix with HC Mike Tomlin calling the shots, yet haven’t actually won a playoff game in seven years. Diminished play, starting with now-retired Ben Roethlisberger’s late-career descent to the effective demotion of Kenny Pickett (a first-rounder in 2022) late last season, suggests it’s time to reboot behind center. Significantly switching gears at quarterback might cut against the DNA of an organization that values stability so deeply. But with Mitchell Trubisky already released and 2023 savior Mason Rudolph, who’s never shown enough in six seasons to be considered Big Ben’s permanent replacement, about to hit free agency, this could be the perfect time to take a big swing at remedying the problem – especially at a juncture when even talented young passers seem to move more freely around the league.

1. Atlanta Falcons

They’ve been shaping up as the ideal landing spot for Fields for some time. He’s a Georgia native who could join a club with a popular new head coach, Raheem Morris, in place while inheriting an offense that’s loaded with weaponry and seemingly only devoid of a worthy triggerman. Imagine Fields hitched to WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, RB Bijan Robinson and an underrated offensive line. Might even be worth the eighth overall pick for a club that was skewered for not pursuing Lamar Jackson a year ago but seems to be one bold move from becoming a perennial favorite in the eminently winnable NFC South.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

In February for Black History Month, USA TODAY Sports is publishing the series ’29 Black Stories in 29 Days.’ We examine the issues, challenges and opportunities Black athletes and sports officials continue to face after the nation’s reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. This is the fourth installment of the series.

In 2021, the Washington Commanders hired Jennifer King as an assistant coach, making her the first Black woman in NFL history ever to be a full-time assistant coach. She’s about to make history again.

King has been hired by the Chicago Bears as an assistant working with the running backs. The Bears say she’s the first woman assistant coach in the 104-year history of the team. The team hired its first full-time woman scout in 2021.

‘Jennifer King is an exceptional leader and passionate coach who will be a positive addition to the Chicago Bears,’ President & CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement on the team’s website. ‘As the first full-time Black female coach in the history of the National Football League, Jennifer has established herself as a hard worker, pioneer, and trailblazer.’

Two steps forward, one step back: NFL will have zero non-white offensive coordinators

‘Chicago is a great city, and the Bears organization is historic,’ King said. ‘I started paying attention to the Bears playing video games like Tecmo Bowl back in the day because Walter Payton was unstoppable in the game. I used to always play with them on there. Then obviously working for coach (Ron) Rivera, he’s been so important in my life and him being a part of those historic defenses with the Bears as well. It’s definitely an exciting time. Hopefully we can hit the ground running and get ready for 2024.

‘To be a first in such a historic organization is a special moment. To be a part of that culture that’s in the building is exciting. I think we’re going to do some really cool things and I’m definitely excited for the upcoming season.’

Why is this important? The story of race in the NFL is a huge topic but so is the story of gender. There’s no reason why a woman can’t be an assistant or head coach in the NFL. If you say wOmiN doNt plAE in tHE nFL well neither did Bill Belichick. Or Bill Walsh. I could go on.

Being a coach is more about brain power, schemes and motivation. Andy Reid played football at a community college; not in the NFL. What makes Reid special isn’t that he screams at players or throws chairs in locker rooms. It’s how he puts his players in the best position to win with his study and smarts.

It’s the same with front office positions.

But if you do want to talk about playing background, she has it. King played quarterback, receiver and defensive back in the Women’s Football Alliance.

One day soon we’re going to see a woman head coach in the NFL. It might be sooner than we think. Maybe within a decade. NFL owners can be backwards when it comes to race and gender but it won’t stay that way with all of them. Some owner will take a chance and we’ll look back at people like King as someone who paved the way.

In February for Black History Month, USA TODAY Sports is publishing the series ’29 Black Stories in 29 Days.’ We examine the issues, challenges and opportunities Black athletes and sports officials continue to face after the nation’s reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. This is the fourth installment of the series.

In 2021, the Washington Commanders hired Jennifer King as an assistant coach, making her the first Black woman in NFL history ever to be a full-time assistant coach. She’s about to make history again.

King has been hired by the Chicago Bears as an assistant working with the running backs. The Bears say she’s the first woman assistant coach in the 104-year history of the team. The team hired its first full-time woman scout in 2021.

‘Jennifer King is an exceptional leader and passionate coach who will be a positive addition to the Chicago Bears,’ President & CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement on the team’s website. ‘As the first full-time Black female coach in the history of the National Football League, Jennifer has established herself as a hard worker, pioneer, and trailblazer.’

Two steps forward, one step back: NFL will have zero non-white offensive coordinators

‘Chicago is a great city, and the Bears organization is historic,’ King said. ‘I started paying attention to the Bears playing video games like Tecmo Bowl back in the day because Walter Payton was unstoppable in the game. I used to always play with them on there. Then obviously working for coach (Ron) Rivera, he’s been so important in my life and him being a part of those historic defenses with the Bears as well. It’s definitely an exciting time. Hopefully we can hit the ground running and get ready for 2024.

‘To be a first in such a historic organization is a special moment. To be a part of that culture that’s in the building is exciting. I think we’re going to do some really cool things and I’m definitely excited for the upcoming season.’

Why is this important? The story of race in the NFL is a huge topic but so is the story of gender. There’s no reason why a woman can’t be an assistant or head coach in the NFL. If you say wOmiN doNt plAE in tHE nFL well neither did Bill Belichick. Or Bill Walsh. I could go on.

Being a coach is more about brain power, schemes and motivation. Andy Reid played football at a community college; not in the NFL. What makes Reid special isn’t that he screams at players or throws chairs in locker rooms. It’s how he puts his players in the best position to win with his study and smarts.

It’s the same with front office positions.

But if you do want to talk about playing background, she has it. King played quarterback, receiver and defensive back in the Women’s Football Alliance.

One day soon we’re going to see a woman head coach in the NFL. It might be sooner than we think. Maybe within a decade. NFL owners can be backwards when it comes to race and gender but it won’t stay that way with all of them. Some owner will take a chance and we’ll look back at people like King as someone who paved the way.

Less than two months of the NBA’s regular season remains.

The season is two-thirds over. Each team has fewer than 30 games left. Every game takes on greater importance. Missteps are more painful. Victories are necessary. The intensity increases. The race is on.

Except for maybe the No. 1 seed in the East (Boston has a six-game advantage over second-place Cleveland), playoff positions are up for grabs.

Let’s take a look at six teams that have the most work to do in the final seven weeks of the regular season:

Los Angeles Lakers (30-26)

The Lakers reached the West finals last season, and after what looked like a solid offseason, they have struggled this season in a deep conference. They’re probably locked into a play-in game situation with no guarantee of making the playoffs, unless they have a stronger than anticipated finish. They are in ninth place, four games ahead of 11th-place Utah and 3½ games behind Phoenix and New Orleans for fifth place. Injuries haven’t helped, but the Lakers are not alone in that department. A decent start that included the In-Season Tournament title morphed into an average season. An 11-5 record in the month before the All-Star break offered some optimism. 

Milwaukee Bucks (35-21)

The Bucks are in turmoil, replacing their coach before the All-Star break and entering the All-Star break losing seven of 10 games, including the final two. They are in third place in the East, 8½ games behind first-place Boston. New coach Doc Rivers and All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are under pressure. The Bucks went to great lengths to add Lillard, appease Antetokounmpo and have a better shot of winning another championship. Then, they fired Adrian Griffin midway through the season with a 30-13 record. It was clear something wasn’t right under Griffin. But there’s no indication all is well under Rivers either, and according to tankathon.com, the Bucks have the third hardest remaining schedule.

Miami Heat (30-25)

The Heat reached the Finals last season, and yes, they lost key players (Max Strus, Gabe Vincent) in the offseason, but there was still some thought that they would be among the best teams in the East this season. That’s not the case – in seventh place with room to rise or fall in the standings. There is some belief that the Heat will show up when they have to and make a serious playoff push. And that is possible with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo playing and Erik Spoelstra coaching. They made the Finals from a play-in game scenario last season, but that’s not the norm and the East is better this season.

New York Knicks (33-22)

The Knicks have two All-Stars (Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle), and they had what experts consider a strong trade deadline, acquiring OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. With the injury to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s struggles, the East is open after Boston. There is a pathway to the East finals for a handful of teams. The Knicks won 10 of 11 games before the trade deadline but dropped four consecutive games heading into the All-Star break. They are in fourth place, 1½ games behind third-place Milwaukee and four games behind second-place Cleveland.

Minnesota Timberwolves (39-16)

The Timberwolves are in first place in the West, why would they have work to do? Because other teams are chasing Minnesota and within striking distance. Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver are within three games of the Timberwolves, who are led by Anthony Edwards. He’s played in just 11 career playoff games and is 0-2 in playoff series. Having Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert give Minnesota playoff experience. Yet, the franchise hasn’t won a series since 2004 when it reached the conference finals. And even with the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, Minnesota could face a high-profile team with talent and experience in the first round, such as the Lakers or Golden State.

Golden State Warriors (27-26)

The Warriors won the title in 2022, lost in the second round to the Lakers in 2023 and decided to run it back – perhaps for the last time – with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in 2023-24. Do the Warriors, and their massive payroll, have another run left? They got hot just before the All-Star break, winning nine of 13 games, including five of their past six. That leaves them in 10th place, 1½ games behind the Lakers, but a friendly schedule gives the Warriors a chance to continue their momentum.

Less than two months of the NBA’s regular season remains.

The season is two-thirds over. Each team has fewer than 30 games left. Every game takes on greater importance. Missteps are more painful. Victories are necessary. The intensity increases. The race is on.

Except for maybe the No. 1 seed in the East (Boston has a six-game advantage over second-place Cleveland), playoff positions are up for grabs.

Let’s take a look at six teams that have the most work to do in the final seven weeks of the regular season:

Los Angeles Lakers (30-26)

The Lakers reached the West finals last season, and after what looked like a solid offseason, they have struggled this season in a deep conference. They’re probably locked into a play-in game situation with no guarantee of making the playoffs, unless they have a stronger than anticipated finish. They are in ninth place, four games ahead of 11th-place Utah and 3½ games behind Phoenix and New Orleans for fifth place. Injuries haven’t helped, but the Lakers are not alone in that department. A decent start that included the In-Season Tournament title morphed into an average season. An 11-5 record in the month before the All-Star break offered some optimism. 

Milwaukee Bucks (35-21)

The Bucks are in turmoil, replacing their coach before the All-Star break and entering the All-Star break losing seven of 10 games, including the final two. They are in third place in the East, 8½ games behind first-place Boston. New coach Doc Rivers and All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are under pressure. The Bucks went to great lengths to add Lillard, appease Antetokounmpo and have a better shot of winning another championship. Then, they fired Adrian Griffin midway through the season with a 30-13 record. It was clear something wasn’t right under Griffin. But there’s no indication all is well under Rivers either, and according to tankathon.com, the Bucks have the third hardest remaining schedule.

Miami Heat (30-25)

The Heat reached the Finals last season, and yes, they lost key players (Max Strus, Gabe Vincent) in the offseason, but there was still some thought that they would be among the best teams in the East this season. That’s not the case – in seventh place with room to rise or fall in the standings. There is some belief that the Heat will show up when they have to and make a serious playoff push. And that is possible with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo playing and Erik Spoelstra coaching. They made the Finals from a play-in game scenario last season, but that’s not the norm and the East is better this season.

New York Knicks (33-22)

The Knicks have two All-Stars (Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle), and they had what experts consider a strong trade deadline, acquiring OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. With the injury to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s struggles, the East is open after Boston. There is a pathway to the East finals for a handful of teams. The Knicks won 10 of 11 games before the trade deadline but dropped four consecutive games heading into the All-Star break. They are in fourth place, 1½ games behind third-place Milwaukee and four games behind second-place Cleveland.

Minnesota Timberwolves (39-16)

The Timberwolves are in first place in the West, why would they have work to do? Because other teams are chasing Minnesota and within striking distance. Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver are within three games of the Timberwolves, who are led by Anthony Edwards. He’s played in just 11 career playoff games and is 0-2 in playoff series. Having Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert give Minnesota playoff experience. Yet, the franchise hasn’t won a series since 2004 when it reached the conference finals. And even with the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, Minnesota could face a high-profile team with talent and experience in the first round, such as the Lakers or Golden State.

Golden State Warriors (27-26)

The Warriors won the title in 2022, lost in the second round to the Lakers in 2023 and decided to run it back – perhaps for the last time – with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in 2023-24. Do the Warriors, and their massive payroll, have another run left? They got hot just before the All-Star break, winning nine of 13 games, including five of their past six. That leaves them in 10th place, 1½ games behind the Lakers, but a friendly schedule gives the Warriors a chance to continue their momentum.

Lionel Messi, with just one sequence in his season opener, showed why he’s seen by many as the best soccer player in the world.

Messi went viral after dribbling over an injured defender laying on the pitch during the first half of Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.

Messi was aggressive and persistent throughout Inter Miami’s season opener, and tried to find some open space for a shot on goal. He dribbled along the penalty arc, and lofted the ball over Real Salt Lake’s Andrew Brody, who was laying on the field after getting his hand stepped on earlier in the sequence.

Messi’s shot toward the net was deflected by another defender. He appeared to smile, but was not content his attempt did not result in a score.

Still, the viral highlight moment began to make the rounds on TikTok and other social media platforms after the match.

Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna unimpressed with Messi move

Inter Miami’s Robert Taylor was amused with the sequence after the match:

‘Sometimes, he chucks the ball over a defender that’s down. That’s crazy,’ Taylor said of Messi.

But Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna wasn’t as amused: ‘For me, from the best player in the world, I would expect that from him. Not just dribble right into him.’

Messi had an assist to Robert Taylor in the 39th minute, and a hockey assist for Diego Gomez’s goal in the 83rd minute in Inter Miami’s victory.

Lionel Messi, with just one sequence in his season opener, showed why he’s seen by many as the best soccer player in the world.

Messi went viral after dribbling over an injured defender laying on the pitch during the first half of Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.

Messi was aggressive and persistent throughout Inter Miami’s season opener, and tried to find some open space for a shot on goal. He dribbled along the penalty arc, and lofted the ball over Real Salt Lake’s Andrew Brody, who was laying on the field after getting his hand stepped on earlier in the sequence.

Messi’s shot toward the net was deflected by another defender. He appeared to smile, but was not content his attempt did not result in a score.

Still, the viral highlight moment began to make the rounds on TikTok and other social media platforms after the match.

Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna unimpressed with Messi move

Inter Miami’s Robert Taylor was amused with the sequence after the match:

‘Sometimes, he chucks the ball over a defender that’s down. That’s crazy,’ Taylor said of Messi.

But Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna wasn’t as amused: ‘For me, from the best player in the world, I would expect that from him. Not just dribble right into him.’

Messi had an assist to Robert Taylor in the 39th minute, and a hockey assist for Diego Gomez’s goal in the 83rd minute in Inter Miami’s victory.