CHICAGO — Lionel Messi’s storied soccer career has spanned over 20 years, and he has played in countless cities across the world.

But on Sunday afternoon, the Argentinian superstar played a club match in the Windy City for the first time — and drew 62,358 people to Soldier Field for Inter Miami CF’s meeting with Chicago Fire FC.

Seas of pink and sky blue shirts — representing both Messi’s club and country — dominated the Fire club record-breaking crowd.

It was a passionate display of soccer fandom that Fire manager Gregg Berhalter believes shows Chicago’s love for the sport.

“I think it shows the potential of this city,” Berhalter said. “We all know that Chicago is a soccer city, and it’s really up to us to put a product on the field that they want to come enjoy.”

That product Sunday was none other than Messi himself.

Messi’s long-awaited club debut against the Fire came after he twice missed out on playing them because of injuries. The crowd was ecstatic to even catch a glimpse of him warming up, and chants of his name filled Soldier Field every time he touched the ball.

“It was amazing — super loud,” said Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady, who made two big saves on Messi as Inter Miami was shut out for the first time this MLS season. “I was just happy to see so many people coming out to watch.”

Berhalter added that the spectacle of seeing a player of Messi’s caliber in the flesh was memorable.

“It was interesting watching him up close,” Berhalter said. “How he sees the game … you see some of those passes he has behind the back line — I mean, it’s just quality.”

The 37-year-old, who has scored 520 total goals in his club career, couldn’t find the back of the net in the 0-0 draw. He came dangerously close on two free kicks — both attempts clattered against the crossbar, much to the crowd’s dismay.

“The first (free kick), I want it on the record that I touched that,” Brady jokingly said after the match. “(Messi) is dangerous wherever he’s taking a free kick.”

Berhalter added that he held his breath at the sight of Messi lining up a shot outside of the 18-yard box.

“It almost feels like a penalty kick,” Berhalter said of the winger’s longtime success with set pieces.

Messi has scored on 66 of them in his career, the most of any active player.

The excitement level brought by a superstar such as Messi playing in Chicago, Berhalter said, is what he’d like to regularly see around Fire matches.

“When we create a culture of winning, championships and playoffs, people in the city of Chicago will get behind the team,” Berhalter said. “I know this city, and I know there are soccer fans here. We need to win games and get them excited about the Chicago Fire.”