Messi showed 8th Ballon d’Or in short celebration before friendly against NYCFC

Messi's first MLS season ends with celebration

Lionel Messi’s first season with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer has officially come to an end.

Messi shared his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and thanked Inter Miami fans in a short pregame celebration before Friday’s friendly against NYCFC at DRV PNK Stadium.

Fans in attendance chanted “Vamos, Messi” (Let’s go, Messi) in the second half, and Messi had a chance to score a free kick from about 25 yards out to tie the match in the final seconds.

But NYCFC spoiled the night, winning the friendly 2-1, in the first match for both sides since their MLS regular seasons ended without playoff berths on Oct. 21.

This night wasn’t about the result as much as it was about celebrating Messi’s impact in his brief four months with the American soccer club.

“For me, it’s something amazing to share with you,” Messi said after carrying out his golden trophy, the eighth of his career – more than any other player.

“I’ve been here for a short period, but it feels like a long time. Like I said at the beginning, I never doubted we were going to enjoy our time here and now I have no doubts that next year it’s going to be even better.”

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas counted the days – 122 of them – since Messi, his wife Antonella, and their children landed at a small airport just yards from the club’s pitch.

Mas called Messi “the greatest player to ever live” and “the world’s greatest No. 10.”

“This football club was created on a dream, a dream that South Florida would house the greatest football team this country had ever seen,” Mas said. “It has been our aspiration and our goal, that when football is talked about in America, that people think and believe in Miami.”

Since Messi joined the club, Inter Miami’s