Messi received like royalty in New York ahead of World Cup final

A pre-match press conference is usually a procedural affair.A large room filled with cameras, and journalists, asking questions of a coach and/or player before or after a game.And while we got that ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, in this bigger is better tournament about to come to a close in the USA, a souped up version was also served to fans as part of a sports fan convention being held in New York City.The star power was high wattage, comedian Kevin Hart co-hosted alongside former England international Rio Ferdinand, as Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady, and Kevin Durant took turns asking questions of the Spanish and Argentine representatives. It was all very loud and flashy, and in all honesty most attendees had little interest in actually listening to what Spain captain Rodri, coach Luis de la Fuente, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had to say. Because as soon as Lionel Messi stepped out onto the stage, he commanded the room.Novak Djokovic greets Lionel Messi at the fan event in New York. (Getty Images: Evrim Aydin)As Djokovic tried to ask his opening question he was drowned out by the crowd craning their necks trying to get a glimpse of Messi on the stage, shouting at those in front to sit down, and then erupting into a MESSI, MESSI chant.He smiled and waved and seemed to enjoy the adulation, or has grown so accustomed to it that it triggers an automatic polite and humble response. You wonder if it irritated Djokovic or Brady at all deep down. Being relegated to second billing is not in their DNA.This was nothing to Messi, sitting on a stage for 20 minutes in a room filled with a few hundred people, answering softball questions from a seven-time Super Bowl winner and 24-time Grand Slam champion. Interestingly, his obligations ended there, opting not to make the journey upstairs to the official, extended media conference, where he would have been asked about more than the photo he took with Spain's teen sensation Lamine Yamal as a baby.A 20-year-old Messi bathed Lamine Yamal as a baby, as part of a UNICEF photo shoot. (AP Photo: Joan Monfort)For the record, he said the photo was "incredible"."I took a picture with him when he was a baby … the fact that we're both playing in the World Cup now is crazy," Messi, 39, said."He is one of the best players in the world right now so I wish him the best. He is only 19 years old, and he has all of his future ahead."He has the opportunity to make history, but we are also going to give it our best."The others spoke and gave thoughtful answers about their feelings ahead of the decider, and praise for their opposition.Spain's Rodri praised Messi ahead of the decider. (Getty Images: Shaun Botterill)"For me, [Messi's] the greatest player of all time," Rodri said at the extended press conference. "He's a player who's been able to lead his national team to win the World Cup ​and, in this case, to the final."But Argentina is much more than just Messi … obviously, ​we'll have to ⁠keep an eye on him, but also on many others."Both sides have had contrasting paths to the final: Argentina's free-wheeling, late heroics, and Spain's steady, clinical approach. But whatever way you look at it, to date this has been Messi's World Cup, and everyone else is just orbiting in it.Money talksSo where does football sit in the American sports landscape after this historic tournament in North America?This World Cup has meant a lot to supporters around the world. (Getty Images: A. Perez Meca)It is a question that was posed in the lead up and has been interrogated further throughout. But in the land of the free, where capitalism rules, and a tournament where many decisions have been driven by maximising profit, it makes sense to answer that in one crude way through dollars and cents.And it suggests it is still nowhere near as valuable as the USA's other major products, to the general sports fan at least.At the Fanatics Fest event where the press conference was held, attendees could fork out extra cash, on top of their entry fees, to get photos and autographs with leading athletes. There were several footballers on the menu, including Antoine Griezmann, Ferdinand, Kaká, and Cabo Verde's goalkeeping hero Vozinha. Cape Verde's Vozinha is one of the biggest breakout stars of this tournament. (Reuters: Amanda Perobelli)Barely anyone beyond the most diehard Cabo Verde football fan even knew who Vozinha was several weeks ago, yet in the past few days he has been doing the rounds on American network television, participating in sponsored promotional events, and selling a selfie for US$114.45. "This means everything to us. Before the World Cup, many people didn't even know where Cape Verde was. Now everyone knows who we are and where our country is," the 40-year-old told a FIFA fan event.Vozinha's new-found fame here in itself is an astonishing feat, while the other footballers had a similar price tag. But they were all at the lower end of what was being asked for among the 133 athletes on offer, including NBA, NHL, MLB players, and WWE stars. Fresh off leading his side to the NBA championship, a photo with New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson fetched a staggering US$937.40.There were wild celebrations across New York after the Knicks won the NBA Championship last month. (AP: Darren Abate)That was double the prices set for the next most popular athletes, including former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre at US$474.15.Although if Messi was on the menu, he would likely blow them all out of the water.As much as the USA, Canada, and Mexico have been captivated by this tournament, it is a reminder that in the US at least, there is an already crowded sports market.The top men's domestic competition, Major League Soccer, is determined to convert this World Cup into a lasting legacy."It's all about capitalising on the eyes, it's all about capitalising on the excitement, the energy that has built throughout this World Cup," US men's captain Tim Ream said at an MLS event this week.The league's commissioner, Don Garber, said the game must attract fans to the MLS and the National Women's Soccer League."Get involved in the game at the youth level. Let's not make this a rock concert tour. Let's make this a great legacy for the future of soccer in America," he said.