By Our Reporter
A 17-year-old American midfielder, Adri Mehmeti, stole the spotlight from Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as the New York Red Bulls defeated Inter Miami 2-0 in a crucial Major League Soccer (MLS) encounter.
The victory at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on Saturday boosted the Red Bulls’ hopes of securing a playoff spot, while exposing Inter Miami’s struggles against the hosts’ relentless pressing.
Although thousands of fans turned up hoping to watch Messi produce his trademark magic, it was the young Mehmeti who delivered the standout performance, dominating midfield and helping the Red Bulls control the contest.
Inter Miami enjoyed 72 per cent possession during the opening 15 minutes but struggled to advance beyond their own half as the home side pressed aggressively and restricted their movement.
Mehmeti was instrumental in the Red Bulls’ approach, combining accurate passing, intelligent positioning, ball recovery and pressing to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.
Messi, who had recently received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Spain, was left out of Inter Miami’s starting line-up. He eventually came on shortly after the hour mark amid loud cheers from the crowd but was unable to inspire a comeback.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner found himself isolated as the Red Bulls maintained their defensive pressure and limited the space available to Miami’s attacking players.
Mehmeti’s influence was particularly evident in his partnership with Ghanaian international Mohammed Sofo, who operated alongside him in a deeper midfield role.
The teenager recorded 82 touches and completed 55 accurate passes during his 85 minutes on the pitch. He also completed both of his tackles and registered 10 recoveries, matching Inter Miami midfielder and World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul.
His performance earned him the Man of the Match recognition from FotMob’s statistical algorithm.
Sofo praised his young teammate’s quality, maturity and understanding of the game, describing their midfield partnership as increasingly effective since his positional adjustment.
He noted that Mehmeti possesses the vision to identify passing opportunities quickly, often finding teammates with just two touches in situations where other players might need more time.
Red Bulls head coach Michael Bradley also praised the teenager’s technical ability, personality and composure under pressure.
Bradley said the club had placed considerable responsibility on Mehmeti despite his age, adding that the youngster had consistently demonstrated the ability to handle the demands of first-team football.
The coach explained that the club had expected its young players to contribute during the season but had needed to assess how they would respond to the challenges, tactical demands and competition for places.
Mehmeti has also attracted attention at international level, recently making three appearances for the United States men’s national team during the international break. He played 80 minutes across those matches, including 62 minutes in the 4-2 victory over Chile.
His emergence has strengthened hopes that he could become an important figure in the next generation of American midfielders, alongside other promising young talents.
However, competition for places in the United States midfield remains intense, with established and emerging players such as Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna among those seeking national-team roles.
Beyond Mehmeti’s individual brilliance, the victory was hugely significant for the Red Bulls’ playoff ambitions.
The three points lifted them back into ninth place in the Eastern Conference, the final qualifying position for the postseason, with three matches remaining in the regular season.
The Red Bulls moved to 39 points, one ahead of Columbus Crew and three clear of Toronto, while FC Cincinnati and Orlando City occupied seventh and eighth positions with 42 points each.
Reflecting on the performance, Mehmeti said the team had capitalised on winning possession in dangerous areas and used the resulting space to create scoring opportunities.
He also praised his teammates for maintaining their intensity and commitment even when Inter Miami enjoyed extended periods of possession.
While the teenager still has a long way to go before establishing himself as a leading figure for the United States, his display against Messi and Inter Miami offered an encouraging indication of his potential.
For a night, at least, the spotlight belonged not to one of football’s greatest legends but to a teenager whose midfield performance could prove decisive in the Red Bulls’ pursuit of an MLS playoff place.