Lionel Messi made a spectacular start to his Inter Miami career, impressing as he secured a stunning free-kick victory against Cruz Azul in stoppage time during his debut match.
Months after leading Argentina to World Cup glory, all eyes in the footballing world were fixed on Florida, eagerly anticipating the first appearance of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi’s arrival in Miami had been long-awaited and highly anticipated, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. The match saw some thrilling moments, with Robert Taylor scoring an excellent goal to open the scoring, but Cruz Azul’s Uriel Antuna equalized.
In the dying moments of the game, the 36-year-old football magician stepped up and delivered a brilliant strike, sending DRV PNK Stadium into a frenzy and securing an unforgettable 2-1 victory in the Leagues Cup.
The evening was a dream come true for fans of all ages, with many sporting ‘Messi 10’ shirts. The sold-out stadium was packed with expectant supporters, and numerous stars like LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, and, notably, David Beckham were also present, with the proud Miami co-owner closely watching from a box beside the dugout.
Though the early exchanges were a bit nerve-wracking for Miami, looking like a team struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Messi’s incredible performance turned the tide and gave Inter Miami a triumphant start to what promises to be an exciting journey with their new star player.
Inter Miami initially faced a challenging start as Cruz Azul launched an early offensive, but they managed to weather the storm. Just before halftime, Robert Taylor’s exceptional low strike found the net off the post, much to Lionel Messi’s delight, as Inter took the lead.
Throughout the match, Messi received cheers and applause from the excited crowd. When he was brought on in the 54th minute, he took the captain’s armband while Sergio Busquets made his debut alongside him. The addition of Jordi Alba to the team, joining their former Barcelona coach Tata Martino in Miami, further strengthened their squad.
However, Cruz Azul fought back and deservedly equalized through Uriel Antuna. As the clock wound down, the Mexicans came close to securing a victory, but it was Messi’s night to shine.
In stoppage time, the 36-year-old maestro won a crucial free-kick, and there was a sense of inevitability as he gracefully curled the ball into the top left-hand corner, lighting up the sky with fireworks. This historic moment marked a significant occasion for Major League Soccer and North American football, reminiscent of Pele’s New York Cosmos debut 48 years earlier and David Beckham’s LA Galaxy debut exactly 16 years ago.
Throughout the match, fans enthusiastically chanted Messi’s name. Despite an initially shaky start from the hosts, Taylor’s goal provided a spark of magic. When Messi was subbed on, the atmosphere reached an electric level, and he demonstrated flashes of brilliance.
Cruz Azul continued to pose a threat, and they eventually found an equalizer through Antuna’s well-placed strike. The game swung from end to end as both teams searched for a winner.
Messi had a few opportunities, but the opposing goalkeeper denied his attempts. Josef Martinez looked to have secured the win, but Messi was ruled offside during the build-up. On the other end, Christian Tabo was brilliantly stopped by Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender.
As the match seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out, Messi had other plans. Fouled by Carlos Salcedo, he seized the chance for a thrilling finish, delivering a memorable free-kick goal to secure an unforgettable debut victory for Inter Miami.