Who was the first Kiwi to play against Messi? Tuiloma?
Sadly for Surman doesn't look like Portland play Inter Miami this MLS season.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360736581/all-whites-defender-michael-boxall-play-alongside-lionel-messi-mls-all-star-team
Six weeks after coming up against Lionel Messi — and beating him — All Whites defender Michael Boxall has been given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play alongside the global football icon.
Sadly for Surman doesn't look like Portland play Inter Miami this MLS season.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360736581/all-whites-defender-michael-boxall-play-alongside-lionel-messi-mls-all-star-team
Six weeks after coming up against Lionel Messi — and beating him — All Whites defender Michael Boxall has been given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play alongside the global football icon.
The Minnesota United captain has joined the Argentine FIFA World Cup winner, widely viewed as the greatest player of all time, in earning selection for Major League Soccer All-Star team ahead of their game against LIGA MX's best in Austin, Texas on July 24 (NZT).
It is the first time Boxall has been selected in the MLS All-Star team in his nine seasons with Minnesota.
The 36-year-old won his spot on the 26-player roster through fan voting after leading Minnesota to their current third-placing on the Western Conference standings.
Boxall was only the second New Zealander to share the pitch with Messi when Minnesota faced Inter Miami in May and he will be the first to play on the same team as the former Barcelona superstar in the All-Star game.
Boxall was only the second New Zealander to share the pitch with Messi when Minnesota faced Inter Miami in May and he will be the first to play on the same team as the former Barcelona superstar in the All-Star game.