SAN JOSE >> Megastar Lionel Messi’s visit with Inter Miami CF to San Jose delivered all the desired feels and fireworks that soccer fans hoped for Wednesday night.

Ardent fans, old and young alike and from near and far, showed up to PayPal Park more than three hours before the Earthquakes’ highly anticipated MLS contest, eager to be the first through the gates to see the beloved Argentinian, a 2022 World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, which is awarded annually to the world’s best professional soccer player.

First in line at one of the gates was professional cheerleader “Krazy George” Henderson, 81, and his wife Patricia Timberg of Capitola.

It has been said that there are no stupid questions, so he was offered, “Who are you here to see, Messi or the Quakes?”

“Today, it’s Messi,” Henderson said. “I can’t believe it. I’m really excited. He’s the best player in the world, and I’m the best looking guy in the world. It’s one against the other.”

Henderson was decked out in Quakes garb, a team whose history he’s deeply intrenched in, but minus his trademark, hand-held snare drum and mallet.

“I’m a spectator today,” Henderson explained. “I haven’t been a spectator for 20 years. It’s been so long since I’ve just been a spectator, I can’t even remember. I’m just gonna watch. I wanna watch this game. About 50 years I got to see Pelé, and, now, Messi. I’ve done it.”

Seaside’s David Cruz Sr. left his job in Santa Cruz early to beat the crowd and be at the front of the line with his 5-year-old son, David Jr., who plays soccer for Watsonville FC.

Cruz Jr., who is on his fourth pair of Messi cleats, was wearing his black and pink game-day jersey, bearing Messi’s name and No. 10. Cruz Sr., taking in a Quakes game for the first time in seven years, paid $750 per ticket two days earlier.

“He’s been wearing the same thing since 8 in the morning, when he went to school,” his dad said. “He’s pretty excited.”

Hours before the game, tickets were going for $500 to $2,000 on the secondary market.

Not everyone got gouged on tickets. William Lam of Sacramento said buying season tickets ended up being a better value than buying a single-game ticket. “When the schedule came out and included Inter Miami, I was pretty stoked,” he said, noting he became a Messi fan during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Jed Mettee, a member of the Earthquakes’ marketing and communications team, said San Jose sold 1,000 more season tickets in a three-day span when it was announced that Miami was on the 2025 schedule.

A few days ahead of the match, there was speculation that Messi, 37, might sit out the contest after playing in five games over the past 2 1/2 weeks.

Marisela Osuna, who made the journey from Mexico with her two sons, forked out $300 per ticket. She didn’t care if he scored, she was just happy to see Messi in person.

“Mucho, mucho,” she said of her excitement level.

Miami and the host Quakes played to a thrilling, 3-all draw. Though Messi didn’t find the back up the net, his beautiful dishes from midfield and in Miami’s attacking third led to some sensational chances. He was credited with one assist, but had the secondary assist on another tally.

Messi had some qualify chances too, including a narrow miss on a give-and-go pass from Jordi Alba inside the box in the 17th minute, a lunging header from his knees from point-blank range in the 39th minute, and on a free kick from outside the penalty box to close the first half. Quakes goalie Daniel de Sousa Britto also made a foot save on another point-blank range shot Messi in stoppage time in the second half.

It was an explosive start, after former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis rang the ceremonial bell to get the match underway.

Maximiliano Falcón gave Miami the lead in the first minute, and the Quakes responded with a tally from Cristian Arango in the second minute for the fastest two-goal start in an MLS game since 2008.

Beau Leroux put the Quakes ahead with his strike in the 37th minute, but Miami’s Tadeo Allende scored the equalizer in the 44th.

Ian Harkes scored four minutes into stoppage time to put San Jose ahead at the half. Again, Miami knotted the score on Allende’s second goal in the 52nd minute. Thrills, spills, missed calls, and bad calls kept fans on the edge of their seats for the duration.

While “Messi” chants broke out late in the first half and more frequently in the second half, Quakes fans took over with “San Jose” chants.

It was a special, emotional evening for all involved.

“Obviously, this is a franchise that’s been not at its best over the last whatever years,” Quakes coach Bruce Arena said. “We’re trying to get better; we have along way to go. But I think getting more people at the game tonight, maybe people for the first time because Messi’s here, is helpful. Maybe they recognize the game is entertaining, it’s good to see, and the team is San Jose is getting better. Maybe they’ll come back and support. Just trying to grow the product. I think this can be beneficial for our club. Hopefully it pays dividends down the road.”

Fans roared with approval when the whistle signaling the end of the game was blown. It was everything they wanted.

Actually, three overzealous teenage fans wanted a bit more. The trio sprinted onto the pitch toward Messi but were quickly tackled by a fraction of the 40-plus security and police officers covering the perimeter of the field.

The match was everything MLS Commissioner Don Garber could hope for, too. He was on hand to witness the historic game, Messi’s first in San Jose.

“I’ve been in the sports business for over 40 years and there’ve been the iconic athletes, the Michael Jordans and Wayne Gretzkys, that sort of have a legacy-like relationship with their fans and the industry and their impact goes way beyond their sport,” Garber said. “Muhammad Ali and Tiger woods, their popularity just transcended the game they played. Messi is a global phenomenon.”

Garber said he remembers when he was at a remote fishing camp in Colorado and his guide wore a Messi jersey rather than proper apparel to protect himself from insects.

“He’s literally wearing a Messi pink jersey because he’s a big fan and has got family in Argentina and he just loves the guy,” Garber said. “His popularity goes way beyond his skill as a player. It’s his humbleness, it’s his commitment to his family, it’s the fact that, if you were going to be a superstar, you’d want to be a guy like Lio Messi, because he’s just like one of us. But he’s a transcendent figure on the field and the fact that he’s so accessible is just awesome and I think that drives his popularity.”

Hundreds of fans squeezed the value of every last dollar they spent on the memorable experience. They surrounded the Quakes’ employee parking lot and chanted “Messi” as two Inter Miami busses pulled out. And they kept chanting as the equipment van followed.