Lionel Messi Scores Stunning Goal At Inter Miami Debut

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi made a brilliant debut for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, scoring a stoppage-time stunner to beat Liga MX’s Cruz Azul 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi entered the game as a second-half substitute to a rousing ovation with Miami ahead 1-0, courtesy of a strike from Robert Taylor. When the Argentine came into the game in the 54th minute, he put on the captain’s armband and sent the crowd into a frenzy whenever he touched the ball.

Cruz Azul equalised in the 65th minute through Uriel Antuna. However, the best was yet to come in the encounter. Messi drew a foul about 25 yards from goal in the dying seconds. He stepped up to deliver a stunning free kick that sailed into the top left corner of the net, sending the crowd into delirium as the match ended 2-1.

El primer gol de Messi con Inter Miami 🤯🤯👏👏

Messi scores in his first match with the club to give us the lead in the 94th minute. pic.twitter.com/pI7bYjEK63

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023

It has been a whirlwind week for Messi, whose arrival at MLS is a huge boost for the profile of football in the United States, which will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.

• Read more: MLS Club Inter Miami Signs Lionel Messi

After the goal, Messi ran toward the right corner of the field with his arms spread wide and then headed to the sidelines on the other side where he shared a hug with his family.

“I knew I had to score, it was the last play of the game and I had to score so we didn’t’ go to penalties,” Messi said on the broadcast through a translator after the match.

“It was very important for us to get this win because it’s a new tournament and it’s going to give us confidence moving forward.”

Three points in our first @LeaguesCup match✅ pic.twitter.com/NnX7ggyAMT

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023

Messi’s 2-1/2 year contract with Inter Miami was made official last Saturday. A day later he was introduced to the club’s supporters at a glitzy welcome party. On Tuesday, he took part in his first full training session with the club.

Inter Miami close out the two-game group stage on Tuesday when they host Atlanta United with hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup. The competition is a World Cup-style tournament featuring all teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.