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Messi's competitive edge gives ESPN UK's panel a celebration dilemma

Herculez Gomez, Mauricio Pedroza and Shaka Hislop discuss the taunting of Junior Alonso after Inter Miami's win over Atlanta United.

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ESPN UK Story of October 21, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.

‘HE’S STILL THE BEST!’ 👏 Were Messi & De Paul WRONG for making FUN of Atlanta’s Alonso? 🤔 | ESPN FC

Things we can learn from the video

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0:00Pedroza introduces the history between Messi and Junior Alonso at club and international level.
1:17Gomez considers the taunting beneath Messi but welcomes the display of competitive edge.
3:10Pedroza argues that Messi's reaction shows he still cares about and enjoys playing.
4:02Hislop says head-to-head banter is common in football and can motivate players.
5:40The panel compares perceptions of Messi's and Cristiano Ronaldo's competitive behavior.

Herculez Gomez manages to disapprove and enjoy himself in the same breath: "I think it's beneath Messi, but I love it."

That tension sits at the heart of ESPN UK's most-watched new upload, a Futbol Americas discussion of Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul taunting Atlanta United's Junior Alonso. After Inter Miami's victory, the panel's question isn't simply whether the celebration crossed a line. It's what that flash of competitiveness says about Messi's appetite for the game.

Mauricio Pedroza reads it as evidence that Messi cares and enjoys playing. Shaka Hislop puts the exchange in the familiar territory of on-field banter, something that can motivate players. Viewers pick up that thread too, discussing Messi's willingness to respond to opponents and how his competitive personality sits alongside his quieter public image.

The segment reached roughly 95,000 views and carries the strongest daily momentum among the channel's active uploads. It anchors a batch of 15 releases that also includes Kay Murray's panel reacting to PSG's win over Barcelona, Alejandro Moreno's assessment of Lamine Yamal, and a Turkish league highlights package featuring goals from Ozan Tufan and Mohamed Salah.

ESPN UK added about 10,000 subscribers over the week, although daily viewing is below its usual pace. Nearby football channels have mixed rhythms: AFTV is close to its normal daily viewing level, while talkSPORT and The Overlap are running more slowly than usual.

Another Futbol Americas debate, asking whether Real Madrid look better without Vinícius Júnior after beating Sevilla, is also drawing attention. Between that selection question and Messi's celebration, the channel has plenty to discuss after the final whistle.

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What viewers say

Have to say that was cool 😂. That kind of passion is what makes football the best sport.
@UB40X1See it on YouTube
Say it with me everybody, DON'T 👏 POKE 👏 THE 👏 BEAR 👏
@xoooxzzzz5744See it on YouTube
Messi is amazing he is a magician.❤
@premiumyt-g1kSee it on YouTube

3 more comments

Leo is still the best. 🐐
@Tony_GeneralSee it on YouTube
This guy Messi is keeping football alive. There is nobody else like him.
@pt17171See it on YouTube
Hes still undoubtedly the best
@ashd5885See it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube