The highly anticipated first game for Lionel Messi with Inter Miami turned out to be a moment straight out of a fairytale when the Argentine master sealed a stunning 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the League Cup.
The seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or was dazzling spectators as they watched him perform on the pitch of play at the DRV PNK Stadium, which was electric with enthusiasm.
The presence in Florida of the champion of the World Cup was something that had been anxiously anticipated for years, and he did not disappoint. Everyone was looking to Messi to produce a moment of brilliance after Robert Taylor scored an outstanding first goal and Uriel Antuna responded with a goal.
Messi scores stunning late free-kick on Inter Miami debut
Messi went up to take a breathtaking free kick deep into stoppage time with the score level at 1-1. The ball found its way into the back of the net, sending the home crowd into euphoria and ensuring a triumph that will live long in the memory of Inter Miami.
Messi highlighted his eagerness to score the game-winning goal in an on-field interview after the match, saying, “I saw the goal. I saw the goal. I saw the goal. I was aware that I needed to get a goal. It was the very final play of the game, and I was hoping to score in order to avoid going to the penalty box.
Tata Martino, the head coach of Inter Miami and a former manager of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, compared the circumstances to a movie they had watched before, recognising the star’s capacity to produce when things are on the line. Messi scored the game-winning goal.
The Messi experience has arrived. 🐐
Rewind all the moments from an @InterMiamiCF debut to remember! pic.twitter.com/wjhBbT9kaZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
A star-studded crowd, including athletes like LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Kim Kardashian as well as Inter Miami owner David Beckham, attended Messi’s historic debut. They were all there to see Messi make his debut.
The arrival of Lionel Messi has unquestionably brought a new level of excitement and expectation to Inter Miami, and the fans are excitedly looking forward to seeing more of Messi’s magic on the pitch in the games that are to come.