Watch as Lionel Messi enjoys dream Inter Miami debut with stunning last-minute winner to delight David Beckham and all-star crowd
Lionel Messi announced himself to his new American fans in the only way he could — with a stunning last minute goal from a trademark free-kick.
The World Cup winner stunned on his Inter Miami debut in front of an A-list star-studded crowd, with David Beckham reduced to tears as his long-held dreams finally came true.
Messi’s debut overnight on Friday/Saturday was years in the making, with England legend and Inter Miami co-owner Beckham influential in attracting the Argentine wizard to the MLS club.
And it was well worth the wait as he started with a bang by sealing a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup — an annual competition between teams from MLS and Liga MX.
The eyes of the entire football world were on Florida as Messi walked out for the first time in Inter Miami pink.
And seven months on from lifting the World Cup, the little magician and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner delivered with bells on, although expectant fans were made to wait for the Messi magic.
The 36-year-old started the game on the bench and watched on as his new side took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Robert Taylor’s excellent opener.
Messi then came off the bench in the 54th minute to send the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale into raptures as he entered the field and took the captain’s armband from former Barcelona teammate — and fellow summer signing — Sergio Busquets.
Mexico international Uriel Antuna then struck in the 65th minute to level the game, before Messi stepped up for his big moment.
The Argentina won a free-kick in prime Messi territory just outside the penalty area, and the stadium held its breath as he stepped up to take it deep into stoppage-time.
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
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