Article by Romeo Ene – Published Monday, February 02, 2026, 2:20 p.m. / Updated Monday, February 02, 2026, 2:21 p.m.
Bauza he started the match as a substitute and entered the field after the break, in place of Edwin Cardona. The duel took place in Colombia, in the context in which Inter Miami is preparing for the start of the new season, at the end of February.
PHOTO. Juan Bauza, face to face with Lionel Messi, in the Atletico Nacional – Inter Miami friendly
There were more than 40,000 spectators at the Atanasio Girardot stadium, excited by Messi's arrival.
Argentinian Pepe Bauza played 30 minutes against his idol. Messi was replaced in the 76th minute by Santiago Morales. It was the moment when the entire stadium rose to its feet and applauded the former Barcelona star.
#Messi in Medellin pic.twitter.com/1fa4oBrMRg
— Santiago Jaramillo (@SanjaMc99) February 1, 2026
The hosts opened the scoring in the 25th minute, through Juan Rengifo. Luis Suarez, the former Barcelona striker, restored the tie in the 54th minute, and the winning goal came in extra time (90+1'), after Elkin Rivero's own goal.
Francesca Simionescu, the Romanian girlfriend of Pepe Bauza, was also in the stands of the Medellin stadium. She immortalized the moment on social media and revealed that the footballer has a tattoo of Messi lifting the World Cup trophy.
@francescasimionescu I don't think I'll ever forget this day 🥹 #fy #fypp ♬ Muchachos, en Argentina Nací – Pinky SD & DJ Pipo
I think even the birth of a child does not equal this day for him. I have said many times that our principle of life is to live so many moments that we can tell our grandchildren about when we are old.
Surely, for Pepe, this will be the memory that will remain etched in his mind even if he has dementia. Super happy for him that he fulfilled a dream.
As for me… I still can't believe what I've been going through since I met him. All opportunities aside, seeing us grow so beautifully together is the greatest happiness.
– FrancescaBauza's girlfriend, on social networks
Juan Bauza, basic soccer player in Colombia
Bauza performed consistently at Atletico Nacional, 27 matches for the most successful team in Colombia, and in December he also won the first trophy of his career, the Colombian Cup, after a final against Independiente Medellin, score 1-0.
The loan from FCU Craiova is valid until the summer and includes a permanent transfer option for approximately 2 million euros.
In Romania, Bauza played for two teams: FCU Craiova and Csikszereda Miercurea Ciuc. Quoted at 700,000 euros on Transfermarkt, the Argentinian scored 17 goals and provided 20 decisive assists in 87 matches played in Craiova's shirt.
