Messi makes magical start to Miami
Lionel Messi made a Hollywood start to his American adventure, scoring a last-second winner with a curling free-kick in his debut game for Inter Miami on Friday.
Deep in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with the Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul standing at 1-1, Messi won a free-kick just outside the box, in perfect range for his famous left foot.
The script had been written and Messi delivered his line perfectly.
The seven-times Ballon d'Or winner took a glance at the position of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudino, then put his head down before curling his shot high to the keeper's right and into the top corner to deliver the 2-1 triumph.
The capacity 20,000 crowd at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium went wild, with some fans running on to the field before being apprehended by security. Smoke bombs in Miami's trademark pink went off in the area behind the goal, occupied by the team's most passionate supporters.
"We wanted to start like this by giving these people a victory," said Messi.
"We knew that it was very important for us to start this championship in winning fashion and luckily we were able to do it in the end, and I am very happy," he added.
Miami are rock bottom of Major League Soccer and without a win in 11 games in league play, so Messi said the victory was sorely needed.
"It is a huge joy to get this first victory after how we have done in the league," he said. "It is important to start winning, beyond the fact that it is another championship, for confidence it is very good to get victories."
Miami and Major League Soccer hope that the arrival of the Argentine World Cup winner and all-time great will transform the sport and push it into the American mainstream.
If Messi's debut was any guide, the former Barcelona star still has plenty to offer.
Even before his wonderful goal he had looked sharp and alert, his touch belying the fact that until little over a week ago he was vacationing on a Caribbean beach with his family.
Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfielder and former Barca team-mate, who has joined Messi for his American adventure, also made a strong impression after they both entered the contest in the 54th minute as part of a triple change with Venezuelan Josef Martinez.
Busquets showed his famous, almost telepathic understanding with Messi remains, after over two years apart from each other, with the midfielder delivering pieces from all angles into the Argentine's feet.
But it was Messi's magical finish that will remain long in the memories of Inter Miami fans.
He also made sure that the club's co-owner David Beckham had a broad grin at the final whistle.
"To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given I thought this is the way it's meant to end. Especially when you've got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch, that's what they produce," said the former England midfielder.
"It's so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people that come down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he's done. It's a dream come true for everyone in this stadium to see.
"It's such a moment for this country, such a moment for this league," he said.
Messi became the biggest name signing in MLS's history when he joined Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end in June.
NBA great LeBron James, reality television star Kim Kardashian and tennis legend Serena Williams were among the stars who turned out.
Many fans were decked out in replica pink Miami shirts with Messi's name and number 10 on the back. Others sported Messi masks and banners, one wore a goat mask in a nod to Messi's Greatest Of All Time status.
There was some disappointment when the teams were announced with Messi on the bench and it was clear that plans had been made to celebrate his first start as fireworks exploded above the grandstands when the referee blew the whistle to start the encounter.
Against the run of play, after Cruz Azul wasted a series of chances, Miami took the lead in the 44th minute with a fine, low shot from Robert Taylor which flew off the post.
Messi and Busquets came in with that lead intact but saw the Mexicans draw level through a powerful drive from Uriel Antuna in the 65th minute.
Then came Messi's moment, the perfect introduction to his new fans and his new country.
-
The local version of Project 2025 is already causing devastation.'Avengers: Endgame' finally got romance right for the MCU'Principled approach' needed in inter继续做好档案人才培养Scientists detect water sloshing on Mars. There could be a lot.S. Korea’s local infections at 4进一步严肃换届纪律 确保圆满完成换届选举工作优化课堂教学 强化教育管理How to Backup Your Gmail AccountWhat's behind Kim Jong
下一篇:Apple Intelligence is now a little easier to get outside the U.S.
- ·Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky 2024 livestream: Watch live WNBA
- ·Karen Pence's weird
- ·Our downloaded Facebook profiles are creepy dossiers of half truths
- ·市检察院、雨城区检察院联合开展“检察开放日”活动
- ·11 Telescopes Exploring The Magic of Space
- ·Google will now let users auto
- ·“增城丝苗拍客”,你最钟意哪一个?
- ·N. Korea art troupe, cheering squad to visit South this week
- ·16 of the Most Epic Sandwiches Around the Planet
- ·Conservative and moderate Republicans both hate Trumpcare. Someone has to budge.
- ·放流鱼类112万尾 增殖和养护渔业资源
- ·Presidential hopeful Lee tested for coronavirus
- ·Apple iPod: The First 10 Years of the Ubiquitous Media Player
- ·N. Korea's No. 3 leader, new premier make rare joint 'field guidance' visit
- ·After the silence it's night of cheer as fans watch Arsenal win
- ·S. Korea reports new 332 coronavirus cases, highest in five months
- ·Game Plan
- ·雨城“年猪文化节”在上里古镇拉开帷幕
- ·NK meets on typhoon, coronavirus responses
- ·What's behind Kim Jong
- ·Black Friday GPU Buying Guide: November GPU Pricing Update
- ·S. Korea’s local infections at 4
- ·Facebook is actively deleting shares of 'The Daily Stormer' article on Heather Heyer
- ·Seoul trying to arrange North Korea
- ·Norris stuns Verstappen at Dutch GP
- ·全国名企云集,今年预制菜“第一展”很有料!
- ·Supercritical geothermal power: Limitless promise or impossible dream?
- ·S. Korea’s local infections at 4
- ·Spike in church infections grips greater Seoul, govt. warns of stern response
- ·Airbnb offers free housing to those affected by Barcelona attacks
- ·Cicadas love to land on people. Experts explain why.
- ·Samsung patent reveals wraparound smartphone display concept
- ·The 'Sonic The Hedgehog' trailer is getting roasted online
- ·广东居全国Top2!2023抖音电商产业带发展数据公布
- ·Newborns hit new low, but births to those unmarried reach record high: data
- ·Columbia shows off bendy battery inspired by the human spine