Near record-breaking crowds take the stands at Arrowhead for ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi brought massive crowds to Arrowhead Stadium for Saturday’s Sporting KC game.

There were more than 72,000 fans in the stands, making it the third-highest-attended game in MLS history.

It’s not every day Arrowhead Stadium becomes a sea of blue.

“It just seems very appropriate that Kansas City is the soccer capital of the United States. Like, this just kinda proves it. Like they made the gamble to have it here at Arrowhead and it looks like it paid off,” said Sporting KC fan Cory Smith.

In the midst of blue was also pink and black as Inter Miami fans took the stands.

“I’ve lived in Kansas City for three years and in 2008, 12, 11 and seeing my jersey, my flag here, I was almost into tears,” said Inter Miami fan Julietta Potts.

It was a full-circle moment for some fans with roots stemming from Messi’s home country of Argentina. Julietta Potts was born there and drove six hours to Kansas City from where she currently lives in Denver, Colorado.

“It’s very emotional to see Messi here in every story and magazines and all the commercials that he does. I came here 15 years ago so soccer was not what it is today here in Kansas City so for me to come here where my journey in America began, it’s amazing,” said Potts.

Fans came from near and far to cheer in the loudest stadium in the world.

“I saw license plates from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, we’re here together for one,” said Sporting KC fan Jordan Hacker.

It’s been nearly three decades since Sporting KC played at Arrowhead Stadium for the first time, and those who were there reflect on how far the game has come.

Former players like Sean Bowers played for the former Kansas City Wizards from 1996 to 1999.

“We envision the MLS would take steps but something like this, you know being out there and being like this on the field before the game and just seeing the electricity around the field and everybody that wanted to be down there is just amazing. Not only Messi, but what Inter Miami brings to the whole table I think is amazing,” said Bowers.

He says the turnout of the game sets the stage for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. He says 30 years ago he never would have imagined the game would come this far.

Inter Miami beat out Sporting KC in Saturday’s game 3-2.

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