Messi's Hat-Trick Ignites Spontaneous Watch Party Across Times Square

On the boulevard near 42nd Street in Times Square, an impromptu watch party erupted on the evening of June 17, 2026, as Colombians and Argentines gathered to watch the Argentina-Algeria World Cup match on their smartphones. The crowd had initially assembled expecting an organized watch party, but finding none available, they created their own gathering on the streets. What began as a modest group quickly swelled to approximately 70,000 people across Times Square and nearby streets, rivaling the 70,000 who attended the match at Kansas City Stadium.

The spontaneous gathering transcended national and political divides, united by admiration for Lionel Messi. Fernando Arcucci, a member of the Albiceleste NYC and an Argentine born and raised in the United States, explained the unifying force: "We have our differences, politically and ideologically, we might be rivals on a football field, we have local footballing favourites, and we argue we are the best. But we all agree that Messi is the best player in the world." The crowd included fans wearing jerseys of rival players Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, as well as New York Knicks apparel, demonstrating how Messi transcended typical sports rivalries.

The emotional intensity of the street party fluctuated with the match's momentum. An early goal by Messi at the five-minute mark sparked celebration, though an offside call moments later provoked frustration, with spectators crying "Esto es una injusticia" (This is injustice). In the 17th minute, Messi's second goal triggered bedlam, with fans mimicking Latin American goal celebrations. Replica Messi shirts sold rapidly from roadside stalls, while restaurants and bars throughout the area—including Buena Vista on Ninth Avenue, establishments in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens, and various others—filled to capacity with organized watch parties.

As Messi completed his hat-trick, rapture consumed the crowds both in organized venues and on the streets. Nearby, the Chief Football Watchers cubicle, where two selected fans were paid $50,000 each to watch every match for 40 days and create social media content, drew its own crowds. The night demonstrated how a single athlete could unite diverse communities across language, culture, and geography. One bar owner, Paul McEwan of Hipsters Junction, who had installed three television sets and renovated his storeroom to accommodate additional tables, noted the particular intensity during Argentina matches, describing the atmosphere as "like soccer stands, packed and full of noise and colour."

According to Arcucci, the communal aspect of watching Messi transcended individual experience: "We don't like watching the games alone or just with family. But together with friends, relatives, neighbours and even strangers." The spontaneous street party exemplified this sentiment, creating what many described as a timeless moment when Messi "blurred languages and cultures" across Times Square.