The world stopped for a minute when all-time great Lionel Messi decided to play for MLS club Inter Miami. However, Miami still had to finalize the arrival. After much anticipation on July 17, Miami officially signed Lionel Messi to a three-year contract. The soccer legend was introduced in front of 20,000 people at sold-out DVR PNK Stadium.
Messi was thrilled to join Inter Miami. “I am very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family, to have chosen the project,” he said. “I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it very much. We are going to have a good time and great things are going to happen.”
Fast forward to the night of July 21 when Messi was scheduled to make his debut in the first game of the Leagues Cup. At kickoff, with the stadium buzzing with 20,000 people, everyone was ready to watch Messi.
Messi, however, started on the bench. Despite Messi being out, Miami scored first with a 44th minute goal by Robert Taylor, taking Miami into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Finally, in the 54th minute, the world, and the city of Miami, got their wish. Lionel Messi entered the game and 20,000 people rose to their feet.
It would be a short-lived excitement as Uriel Antuna answered Miami to tie the game in the 65th minute, sucking the excitement out of the building. But who doesn’t love a story book ending?
In the 94th minute, Miami got fouled on the edge of the box. Messi stepped up to take the free kick. Messi took a deep breath, and like he has so many times over the years, he curved the ball into the back of the net to give Miami the win.
With a debut like he had, Messi will look for more magical moments throughout his career in Miami in his attempt to turn the team around.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10