Meeting Lionel Messi before World Cup was 'dream' for NWSL's Temwa Chawinga

The world was buzzing last week when Lionel Messi notched a hat trick to tie the men's World Cup goals record.

Kansas City Current star Temwa Chawinga, who was the Coca-Cola World Cup Coin Toss Assistant for the Group J match, had a front row seat. She got to meet Messi ahead of Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday, June 16.

"Since I was young, I was watching Messi, so I’m really happy," Chawinga told USA TODAY Sports in a video interview. "It was my dream to meet him."

Chawinga is building her own resume as one of today's soccer greats. The forward was named the NWSL MVP in 2024 and 2025, the first player in league history to be given the title twice in a row, and also earned the Golden Boot in those two years with 20 and 15 goals scored in each season, respectively.

Experiencing the World Cup energy in Kansas City was inspiring for Chawinga.

"How can we learn something from them to bring in our game, the women’s game?" she pondered.

Kansas City was one of 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico chosen by FIFA to host World Cup matches this summer. It has become known as a soccer hub between MLS' Sporting Kansas City and the NWSL's Current, which has made history by building the first stadium specifically for a women's soccer team.

Chawinga played in Sweden and China before signing with the Current in 2024. She expressed gratitude for the front office and the local fans for their support of the team.

"I’ve never seen the support the way here they support women’s game," she said. "... No matter we lose, tie, win, they show up every game, they come support us. It’s so amazing, the way the owner, the way they love the team, the way they invest in women’s soccer, the beautiful facility they have. I’m so grateful to be here."

Chawinga describes the team as a family and says that their encouragement keeps her motivated to perform at a high level.

"Without my teammates, I’m not winning anything, but they help me a lot in each game with a score or with an assist," she said. "If I miss a chance, they come up to me, ‘Don’t worry Temwa. Goal is coming. You will score. Don’t worry Temwa.’

"... That keeps me motivated because I have support everywhere, the fans, the players, the team, so I’m happy the way they love me, they way they support me. The team, everyone, we love each other, it’s like a family. We’re together, if we lose or tie a game, we do it together."

Chawinga plays for Malawi, her home country, along with her sister, Tabitha, whose club team is French side OL Lyonnes. The Scorchers have yet to appear in a World Cup.

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament to qualify for the 2027 World Cup kicks off July 25. Chawinga said she is confident in the Malawi roster that includes Rose Kadzere from French club Montpellier Hérault and Faith Chinzimu from Swedish club BK Häcken.

"I’m looking forward to that and not just going there, but we need to shift something," Chawinga said.

"It’s our dream," she continued. "Every player who plays in Malawi, they’re looking for that. We need to go ahead to qualify to go to the World Cup."

Besides playing in a men's record six World Cups, Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times. Chawinga received her first nomination for the award, given to the best player in soccer every year, last season.

"It means a lot," she said. "It means that I’m working hard. ... Every player dreams to be on that list. … I’m just grateful for my work and for my teammates and I thank God."

But just being nominated isn't enough. She knows that there's more ahead of her to be established in the same conversation as Messi and Marta, who holds the record for most World Cup goals.

"I want to win the Ballon d’Or, so I’m looking forward to that," she said. "I need to work harder to win that thing."