Lionel Messi makes magical start to Inter Miami career with late winner on debut

MIAMI – Lionel Messi made a Hollywood start to his American adventure, scoring a last-second winner with a curling free kick on his debut for Inter Miami on Friday.

Deep in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with the Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul poised at 1-1, Messi won a free kick just outside the box, in perfect range for his famous left foot.

The script had been written and Messi delivered his line perfectly.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner took a glance at the position of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudino, then put his head down before curling his shot high to the goalkeeper’s right and into the top corner to deliver the 2-1 triumph.

The capacity 20,000 crowd at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium went wild, with some fans running onto the field before being apprehended by security.

Smoke bombs in Miami’s trademark pink went off in the area behind the goal, occupied by the team’s most passionate supporters.

“We wanted to start like this by giving these people a victory,” said Messi. “We knew that it was very important for us to start this championship in winning fashion and, luckily, we were able to do it in the end, and I am very happy.”

Miami are rock bottom of the Major League Soccer (MLS) and without a win in 11 league games, so Messi said the victory was sorely needed.

“It is a huge joy to get this first victory after how we have done in the league. It is important to start winning, beyond the fact that it is another championship. For confidence, it is very good to get victories,” he said.

Miami and the MLS hope that the arrival of the Argentinian World Cup winner and all-time great will transform the sport and push it into the American mainstream.

If Messi’s debut was any guide, the former Barcelona star still has plenty to offer. Even before his wonderful goal he had looked sharp and alert, his touch belying the fact that barely over a week ago he was on holiday on a Caribbean beach with his family.

Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfielder and former Barca teammate who has joined Messi for his American adventure, also made a strong impression after they both entered the contest in the 54th minute as part of a triple change with Venezuelan Josef Martinez.

Busquets showed that his famous, almost telepathic understanding with Messi remains, after over two years apart when the latter was at Paris Saint-Germain, with the midfielder delivering balls from all angles to the Argentinian’s feet.

But it was Messi’s magical finish that will remain long in the memory of Inter Miami fans.

He also made sure that the club’s co-owner David Beckham had a broad grin at the final whistle.

“To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given, I thought this is the way it’s meant to end. Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch, that’s what they produce,” said the former England midfielder.

“It’s so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people who came down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he’s done. It’s a dream come true for everyone in this stadium to see.

“It’s such a moment for this country, such a moment for this league.”

Messi became the biggest name signing in MLS history when

he joined Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end in June.

National Basketball Association great LeBron James, reality television star Kim Kardashian and tennis legend Serena Williams were among the stars who turned up.

Many fans were decked out in replica pink Miami shirts with Messi’s name and No. 10 on the back. Others sported Messi masks and banners, one wore a goat mask in a nod to Messi’s Greatest Of All Time status.

There was some disappointment when the teams were announced with Messi on the bench and it was clear that plans had been made to celebrate his first start as fireworks exploded above the grandstands when the referee blew the whistle to start the encounter.

Against the run of play, after Cruz Azul wasted a series of chances, Miami took the lead in the 44th minute with a fine, low shot from Robert Taylor which flew in off the post. Messi and Busquets came on with that lead intact, but saw the Mexican side draw level through a powerful drive from Uriel Antuna in the 65th minute.

Then came Messi’s moment, the perfect introduction to his new fans and his new country. AFP