FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – You couldn’t have written a better script, or draw up a better ending.
Lionel Messi’s American debut lived up to the occasion. And the greatest soccer player in the world made his presence felt in the most electric of fashions.
Messi scored a goal on a free kick in the 94th minute of his MLS debut, leading Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over LIGA MX team Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup play on Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi, ever the savvy veteran and soccer superstar, was fouled in the final minute, and rolled over on his stomach as he held his head. The foul was obvious.
The stage was set with several seconds left before the final whistles.
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And Messi’s left boot – which led Argentina to a World Cup and won seven Ballons d’Or as the world’s best men’s soccer player – seized the moment.
Messi’s goal hit the left side of the net, just as it was supposed to, causing the crowd of more than 22,000 people in attendance to celebrate into the night.
Messi Mania is officially live and well.
And actually happening in South Florida and America as a whole.
The greatest player in the world chose this team, and this city and this soccer league to continue his legendary career.
After years of Messi to Inter Miami speculation and intrigue, years of asking whether the world’s greatest soccer player might join MLS, it just felt surreal when it finally happened.
Even after the initial announcement, the photoshopped jersey photos, the extravagant introduction, the fans stopping him in the street leading to his new pitch, and a viral trip to a Publix grocery store, it still didn’t feel real.
Messi did not start for Inter Miami, but entered in the 54th minute, much to the joy of a sellout crowd of 22,000 fans in attendance – including celebrities like LeBron James, Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams.
Cruz Azul’s Uriel Antuna tied the game in the 65th minute with a strike that grazed the goalie’s hands into the net, spoiling Inter Miami’s 1-0 halftime lead thanks to Robert Taylor’s goal in the 44th minute.
Messi felt some adversity in his first MLS game, as a no-call fall and two offsides calls in final minutes built some angst for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.
If both sides remained tied after 90 minutes, the game would have been decided by penalty kicks in Leagues Cup play.
Instead, Messi took over.
In the final seconds of his first MLS game, it finally sunk in.
Messi called game in his first game. And now, the hype only grows.
Messi scores game-winner for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi made the most of his Major League Soccer debut, scoring a jaw-dropping goal on a free kick in the 94th minute to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over LIGA MX team Cruz Azul.
Messi, Inter Miami see game tied at 1
Ten minutes after Messi’s debut, Cruz Azul found its way play spoiler.
Uriel Antuna, a 25-year-old right winger, had space and his strike grazed off the goalie’s touch into the left side of the net.
The goal tied the game at 1, and set the stage for a second half with higher stakes in Messi’s first game.
Messi warms up during halftime before debut
Messi was not on the field when the second half began.
But Messi took the field to warm up with teammates during halftime of his first MLS game, with Inter Miami holding a 1-0 lead.
Messi was not on the field for long, but fans did show their excitement getting their first glimpse of him on the pitch.
Messi’s debut is likely to come in the second half of this game. It’s unclear how much time Messi will play.
Messi cheers as Inter Miami takes 1-0 lead vs. Cruz Azul
While Cruz Azul had the edge during the first half with possession, Inter Miami made sure they took a lead before Messi’s debut.
Robert Taylor scored in 44’ with a strike off his right foot just inside the right post to excite the crowd just before halftime.
Messi stood up and cheered following the score, about 6-7 minutes before both teams finished the first half.
It didn’t take long for fans to start chanting Messi’s name in the opening minute.
In fact, about 40 seconds passed before the first Messi chant, as he waited on the bench.
The second round of chanting came around the 9’ mark, during a chaotic first 12 minutes of the game between both teams.
Messi not in starting lineup
Messi arrived to the stadium shortly after 6 p.m., about two hours before kickoff. He was not in the starting lineup released ahead of the game, so is expected to come off the bench for his debut.
Beckham hinted at that possibility in the days leading to the match, saying Messi needed to make sure he was ready after coming back from time off.
Now, it’s just a matter of when Messi, donning a No. 10 Inter Miami jersey, will make his debut official.
LeBron, Brady, Kardashian among celebrities at Messi’s debut
Messi’s worldwide celebrity is expected to draw just as many high-profile celebrities to his first Inter Miami game.
All-time NBA scoring leader LeBron James and Messi shared a heartfelt hug together before the game.
Tennis legend Serena Williams arrived shortly before kickoff, while seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is reportedly expected to attend.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was an early arriver to the festivities, while Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was also in attendance.
How Messi and Beckham’s MLS journeys coincide
Messi’s debut with Inter Miami comes 16 years after David Beckham made his MLS debut with the L.A. Galaxy.
Beckham’s debut came in the 78th minute during a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in a World Series of Soccer tournament in 2007.
We’re all waiting for the minute Messi makes his debut.
