MIAMI, FL – The moment that we’ve been waiting for has finally come, the Messi Era in Miami has begun and there was no better way to start it.
After being unveiled in the Miami faithful on Sunday evening along with teammate Sergio Busquets, Leo Messi had made his presence known in the MLS. Inter Miami announced that the duo would be making their debut in tonights League Cup matchup against Mexican team Cruz Azul.
It was quite the spectacle, many famous faces had shown up to the game to see greatness in person. Among those included LeBron James who met up with Messi before the game, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian and Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
GOAT talk. 🐐
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 22, 2023
Lionel Messi and LeBron James before the match. 👑
🎥 @MLS pic.twitter.com/2EXPysRFwB
The game started at a level pace with the first goal coming in the 44th minute by Robert Taylor off an assist from Robbie Robinson, giving Inter Miami the edge coming into halftime. Then, in the 54th minute the moment we had all been waiting for had happened, Benjamin Cremaschi and David Ruiz had been called off and in their place were Leo Messi and Sergio Busquets. Yes, the Messi Era was officially underway.
🚨 LEO MESSI MAKES HIS INTER MIAMI DEBUT 🚨
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2023
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/FNQ3mQfTxR
✨EL DEBUT PT. 2 ✨ pic.twitter.com/WClgaN2vuH
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023
However, the moment was quickly dimmed out when Cruz Azul leveled the game 1-1 in the 65th minute of the game. It seemed that this group stage game was going to end in a tie with how the pace of the game was going, that is until the 90th minute. Officials added on two minutes for stoppage time, Cruz Azul committed a foul in the 90+2 timeframe, giving none other than Leo Messi his time to leave a mark in MLS history. In his debut game, Leo Messi nails a game winner to give Inter Miami the victory and three points in the League Cup group standings.
El primer gol de Messi con Inter Miami 🤯🤯👏👏
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023
Messi scores in his first match with the club to give us the lead in the 94th minute. pic.twitter.com/pI7bYjEK63
Leo Messi WALKS IT OFF. 🤯
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
An unreal ending to this #LeaguesCup2023 battle. pic.twitter.com/wJvFEjGWU5
The goal was so great that it sent team owner and MLS legend David Beckham into tears on the sideline making it a wholesome moment.
David Beckham in tears after Messi’s goal! 🥺pic.twitter.com/WMD3QHggv1
— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) July 22, 2023
This was surely a night to remember for not only South Floridians but for the entire United States as now how we look at soccer and its impact have certainly changed after seeing greatness with our own eyes.
Inter Miami will be back in League Cup action against MLS team Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium in Miami on Tuesday July 25th.
