Craig Butler, head of Phoenix Academy and co-owner of Vere United in Jamaica’s Premier League, recently expressed his astonishment at the overwhelming support Jamaican fans showed for Lionel Messi over their local team during a match at the National Stadium. In a video shared from Kingston’s airport, Butler recounted his experience, noting his surprise at seeing home fans cheering more for the visiting team, many dressed in Inter Miami attire.
Despite being a rival of Cavalier FC and its coach Rudolph Speid, Butler attended the match to support them, emphasizing the importance of backing local talent. While he acknowledged Messi’s greatness and owns a signed jersey himself, Butler stressed that national pride should come before “fan worship.” He urged Jamaicans to believe in and support their players, asserting that unwavering national support is crucial for their development.
Butler also highlighted that such behavior would be unlikely elsewhere, stating, “We would never be able to go to an Inter Miami game and see the people of America in Jamaican gear cheering against Inter Miami.” He called for a shift in perspective, encouraging Jamaicans to recognize their potential as a footballing nation. Butler remains optimistic about the future, expressing his belief that Leon Bailey has the potential to become the world’s best footballer.
The match concluded with Inter Miami defeating Cavalier FC 2-0. The overwhelming support for Messi was further highlighted when a Cavalier player celebrated receiving Messi’s jersey after the match, expressing his excitement in a video by noting how “good” the jersey smelled while trying it on.
Butler’s remarks sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some fans defended their enthusiasm for Messi, citing the rare opportunity to see such a legendary player in person. One commenter noted, “The people went to see the greatest footballer ever… Most of these people can’t even afford to go overseas to watch their favorite footballer.” Others agreed with Butler, wishing for similar support for local talents like Leon Bailey.
In his closing remarks, Butler urged Jamaicans to start believing in themselves as a footballing nation, emphasizing that with the right support, local players can achieve greatness on the world stage.
Watch as Butler talks on the matter below:
