Messi Scores Winner On MLS Debut As Inter Miami Win Their First Game In Over Two Months
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, Florida — The ‘script’ of Lionel Messi’s career keeps on getting better!
Most of us thought that Messi had completed football by finally winning the World Cup in Qatar this past December, and it was widely expected for Messi to go back to Barcelona (or perhaps Argentina) to hang up his boots, in a farewell tour kind of way, to end his fairytale-like career.
Instead, Messi shocked the world and decided he would test out the American dream. Settling to play for David Beckham’s Inter Miami, Messi had his debut last night in front of his home crowd. With ticket prices for the game starting at $460, there was tremendous fanfare for this game. Despite being dead last in the Eastern Conference standings, celebrities such as LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Kim Kardashian were all in attendance to see Leo’s first game under a Miami shirt.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
While Messi didn’t start the game, he was introduced in the 53rd minute along with his former Barcelona teammate and fellow new signee Sergio Busquets. The two longtime teammates quickly showed off their great chemistry, reminiscent of their playing days together in those great Barça sides.
Although Miami conceded a goal that tied the game shortly after Messi and Busquets’ introduction, their presence changed the tempo of the game, and the difference in quality between them versus the rest of the field became extremely evident.
There were especially a few awkward moments during the match where Busquets was thrown off a bit from the lack of pressure he got from the opposing players when he received the ball, leading to visible confusion and hesitation on his part initially, as he has gotten so accustomed over the years to the instant pressure he got whenever he was on the ball.
After those brief moments of adjustment to the MLS’ game style, Busquets, a passing wizard himself, realized he had all the time in the world to pick out Messi down the field, and the two basically toyed with the opposing players the rest of the game with their dynamic movement and passing.
Despite the improved quality of play by Miami after the introduction of their two new stars, the game still seemed like it was going to end in an underwhelming tie. However, in the dying moments of stoppage time, Messi was able to conjure up a foul to set up a last-minute freekick directly facing the goal.
Having the ball at his feet for one final kick of the ball before the match was over, Messi converted the freekick akin to his signature goals to give Inter Miami its first win in over two months.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The end of the game was seemingly out of a Hollywood script. It was so perfect that it is hard not to joke that Inter David Beckham and the MLS rigged it to end it the way it did.
The event matched and probably surpassed the hype it had prior to the game. Fans (and more importantly sponsors) left the game feeling they got their money’s worth. It was the DREAM start to Messi’s MLS career, which will only boost the buzz surrounding his arrival to America.
