In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a remarkable moment unfolded as Inter Miami co-owner, Jorge Mas, cherished a lasting memory of Lionel Messi’s debut. The unforgettable image of Messi rushing to embrace his family after scoring the decisive game-winning free kick marked the beginning of a new era not just for the club but also for Major League Soccer.
Mas expressed that this extraordinary moment was dedicated to the passionate fans who have been longing for success. It demonstrated how a single player, especially the right player like Messi, can profoundly influence an entire club. This impact was further showcased in Messi’s subsequent performance against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday night.
In his first start for Miami, Lionel Messi displayed an extraordinary performance by scoring two goals and providing an assist, bringing his total tally to three goals in just two games. This remarkable achievement propelled Inter Miami to a significant 3-0 lead by halftime, the first time the club had ever experienced such a commanding advantage.
The impact of Messi’s presence on the field was so immense that co-owner Jorge Mas remarked, “There’s going to be a before and after Messi in football for this country.” His influence was undeniable as Miami went on to secure a resounding 4-0 victory. When Messi was substituted in the 78th minute, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, many of whom were wearing his iconic No. 10 jersey. However, some fans chose to leave the stadium once Messi took a seat on the bench.
Miami coach Tata Martino acknowledged the situation, expressing that it was understandable given the type of player Messi is. While he would have preferred the fans to stay and pay tribute to the entire team, he respected their decision.
With this impressive win, Miami swept its group and advanced to the round of 32 in the Leagues Cup, earning the right to host the next match against an opponent yet to be determined. The future looks promising for Inter Miami as they continue to benefit from having Lionel Messi as a vital asset to the team.
In the eighth minute of the match, Lionel Messi received a pass from his former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets. With great determination, Messi surged forward and struck the ball, hitting the right post, but he quickly capitalized on his own rebound and tapped it into the net, giving Inter Miami an early lead. Then, in the 22nd minute, Messi scored again, this time off a pass from Robert Taylor, further solidifying Miami’s advantage at 2-0.
The impact of Messi and Busquets on the team was palpable, as expressed by Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin, who noted how their presence had positively changed the team’s spirit. Their arrival instilled confidence in the players and even created a sense of fear in their opponents, knowing they were up against a formidable force when facing Messi and Busquets.
In their previous Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul, Messi came off the bench in the 54th minute and delivered a moment fans had eagerly awaited. His game-winning free kick in stoppage time delighted the crowd, estimated to be around 21,000, who were thrilled to witness the legendary player in action on MLS turf.
Yedlin, among others, has embraced Messi as a teammate and emphasized that he’s an integral part of the team, contributing not only with his exceptional talent on the field but also with his positive influence on and off the pitch, providing guidance and support to both younger and experienced players alike.
Prior to Messi’s arrival, Brazilian midfielder Gregore held the captaincy, but a foot injury in March sidelined him from the role, leading to the passing of the captain’s armband to Messi during the match against Cruz Azul. In Tuesday’s game, Messi continued to wear the armband, symbolizing his leadership and commitment to the team’s success.
With Lionel Messi commanding the spotlight and drawing significant attention from Atlanta’s defenders, it created valuable opportunities for other Miami players to shine. In the 44th minute, Robert Taylor capitalized on the space created by Messi’s presence and found the back of the net. Taylor struck again in the 53rd minute, this time assisted by Messi, extending Miami’s lead to an impressive 4-0.
Miami’s coach, Tata Martino, acknowledged the impact of Messi and Busquets, explaining that their exceptional skills and abilities often create space for other players on the field, despite the initial game plan.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender played a vital role in preserving the shutout when he saved a penalty shot from Thiago Almada in the 86th minute, contributing to Miami’s dominant performance.
On the other side, Atlanta’s coach, Gonzalo Pineda, recognized that there were areas for improvement in their game and admitted they had opportunities to score but couldn’t capitalize on them.
As the game unfolded, Messi entered the field while holding hands with the son of hip-hop artist DJ Khaled, adding a heartwarming touch to the occasion.
However, amidst the excitement, a fan managed to breach security and ran onto the field as Messi was leaving the pitch. The fan made a beeline for Miami’s bench, where Messi was standing, before being apprehended by security and escorted off the field, highlighting the challenges of managing security in high-profile matches.