Wednesday morning, Chris Moramarco received the call.

The Lionel Messi-themed artwork, which was painted a month ago by members of the Inter Miami fans organization Vice City 1896, which he helped establish in 2018, was damagҽd. The piece of art was covered in large swaths of purple paint, the primary color of Miami’s rivals Orlando City, and the words “FL is Purple” were scrawled on it as well.

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However, by Thursday morning, the artwork looked as close to new as possible, thanks to the efforts of dozens of Vice City 1896 members who responded to Moramarco’s plea for assistance in restoring the mural. The final touches will be applied over the next day or two.

“I put a message in our group chat asking people to come out and help, but I couldn’t believe how many showed up,” Moramarco, who operates a boutique creative advertising agency and designed clothing for the MLS team’s first two seasons, said. “Murals are community-driven and contribute to the kind of solidarity we saw last night.” I’m proud of our group effort. We had individuals of all ages, which demonstrated how much people care. All they did was bring us closer together.”

The mural, conceived by Moramarco and executed by more than 80 people painting on a rotating schedule over eight evenings, was finished on Messi’s birthday, June 24, and was entirely supported by the group’s fundraising.

Moramarco, 45, had an intriguing reaction when he observed the vandalism’s consequences on social media.

“I kind of laughed, but I was also in sҺock,” he admitted. “Someone had to come all the way down here, think it through, and paint it.” The fɑct that someone was offended indicates that we’re doing something properly.”

Vice City 1896 is one of five supporters’ organizations affiliated with Inter Miami, and Moramarco is delighted to list the ways they’ve given back to the community through programs such as toy drives, feeding the homeless, beach cleanups, and more.

“In the end, this is just a sports rivalry that is alive, and we’re going to keep bringing it in a unique way,” Moramarco said, adding that the group may have a sҽcret creative response to the vandalism. “[Orlando] regards us as fake fans and mocks our stadium.”

“But with Messi, we know where we’re going.” His appearance has had a nҽgative impact on them and has set the tone for what is to come.”

That tone might be on show soon next Wednesday, Aug. 2, when the two sides meet in the Leagues Cup knockout stage in Fort Lauderdale.