Messi makes start to Miami career with late winner on debut
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 night.
Deep in the fourth minute of stoppage, with the Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul standing at 1-1, Messi won a free kick outside the box, in range for his famous left foot.
The script had been written, and Messi delivered his line perfectly.
The seven-time Ballon d’or winner glanced at the position of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudino, then put his head down before curling his shot 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 fans running onto 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,” Messi said.
“We knew that it was important to start this championship in winning fashion,” he said.
Miami are 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.
“For confidence, it is very good to get victories.”
Miami and Major League Soccer hope that the arrival of the Argentina 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 goal, he looked sharp, his touch belying the fact that until little over a week ago he was on holiday on a Caribbean beach with his family.
Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfielder and former Barca teammate 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 that his famous, almost telepathic understanding with Messi remains, after over two years apart, with the midfielder delivering passes from all angles to the Argentinian’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 club 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 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 history when he joined Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-germain ended 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 No 10 on the back. Others sported Messi masks and banners, with one wearing a GOAT mask in a nod to Messi’s ‘Greatest Of All Time’ status. |