It was as if Apple TV and Major League Soccer had written a perfect script to the end of Inter Miami's 2-1 triumph over Liga MX's Cruz Azul in the 2023 Leagues Cup - with Lionel Messi burying a stoppage time free-kick to lift his side to victory.
The greatest player in football history added another chapter in his legendary career against Cruz Azul - except he entered the game much sooner than everyone expected him to in the 54th minute, alongside Sergio Busquets.
The 2022 World Cup winner had an immediate impact after taking the field, linking up with the likes of Josef Martinez to create several half-chances. Miami were knocking on the door, and Messi kicked that door down with full force after converting a free-kick from just outside the 18 yard box, sending DRV PINK Stadium into chaos.
"I knew it was the last play, and I hoped to score to avoid going to penalties and secure the three points, as it was a crucial match for us to start the new tournament with a victory," the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona player said to Apple TV after the game. "It's essential to begin this way for the group's confidence, which has been working very well since I joined."
"Like I said in my introduction, I'm very happy to be here, with the team and my family," he added. "We're very happy with this choice. I want to thank the people once again. I hope we continue this way and that they keep joining us all year because for us this is very important."
It seems like we should all start getting used to seeing this tweet on a regular basis after Messi's magical moment on his club debut for the Herons.
The free-kick was David Beckham-esque, and the Inter Miami co-owner hailed the league's new best player after he truly did 'bend it like Beckham'.
"To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given I thought: 'This is the way it's meant to end'," Beckham claimed. "Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio [Busquets] on the pitch – that's what they produce. It's so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people that have come down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he’s done."
With Jordi Alba and Diego Gomez on the way to the Miami squad, things are looking up for the Herons as they started up their Leagues Cup campaign in style. Now, Messi and Miami will look ahead to when they host Atlanta United and fellow Argentina international Thiago Almada on July 25 at DRV PINK Stadium in their second game of the competition.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Lionel Messi provides moment of magic in Inter Miami debut .
