Lionel Messi made his highly anticipated Major League Soccer (MLS) debut and wasted no time in displaying his unmatched skills. In just a few seconds, Messi showcased his brilliance, capping off a memorable game for Inter Miami. His dazzling goal in the 89th minute sealed a 2-0 victory for his team, putting an end to their 11-match winless streak in the league.
The moment Messi stepped onto the field in the 60th minute, along with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, the atmosphere electrified. Inter Miami had already taken the lead in the 37th minute, thanks to a goal by Diego Gómez, assisted by Jordi Alba, another Barcelona alum. This was a night of many debuts, as six players made their first appearances in MLS for Miami.
The crowd erupted with chants of “We Want Messi!” as early as the sixth minute, and the stadium resounded with "Mes-si! Mes-si!" in the 35th minute. The anticipation and excitement were palpable throughout the entire match.
Forty-eight years after Pelé's historic move to the New York Cosmos in an effort to boost soccer in the United States, Messi followed in the footsteps of legends like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović in an attempt to further elevate the popularity of MLS. The streets outside the stadium were filled with fans, scalpers, and vendors selling unlicensed Messi jerseys. Nearly half the crowd donned jerseys representing Messi's three clubs and Argentina's national team. The match was even simulcasted on a videoboard in Times Square.
A record-breaking crowd of 26,276 filled Red Bull Arena, marking the Red Bulls' first home sellout of the season. Resale tickets were being listed for over $1,000, highlighting the immense demand to witness Messi's debut.
As the moment arrived for Messi's introduction onto the field, fans erupted with joy. The trio of Messi, Busquets, and Alba showcased their exceptional chemistry and talents, leaving their opponents trailing behind. Inter Miami defender Kamal Miller admitted to being mesmerized by Messi's presence on the field, stating, "It's tough to stay focused when you have such a great presence."
Although Messi failed to score in his previous debuts in La Liga and Ligue 1, the anticipation for his first MLS goal was at an all-time high. In the 88th minute, he took a free kick from 21 yards out, but it was blocked by the defensive wall. Undeterred, Miami regained control in midfield, and Busquets delivered a cross to Alba just inside the penalty area. Using his sheer brilliance, Alba skillfully centered the ball to Messi, who controlled it expertly amidst the defensive pressure. Messi then passed the ball to 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, who cleverly assisted Messi in finding the net.
With goalkeeper Carlos Coronel out of position, Messi calmly guided the ball into the unguarded net from a mere 3 yards, securing his 11th goal in nine games for Inter Miami across all competitions.
The impact of Messi's presence cannot be underestimated. He not only draws attention from fans but also leaves his teammates in awe. Inter Miami right-back DeAndre Yedlin admitted, "It surprises me and it doesn’t surprise me because I've seen it before. It's just unbelievable to see."
This victory was a significant breakthrough for Miami, as they had struggled to secure wins in the league for months. Prior to this match, their last league win had been on May 13 against the New England Revolution.
Overall, Messi's MLS debut was an unquestionable success. His extraordinary skill and ability to make an instant impact on the game are a testament to his status as one of the greatest players of all time. The presence of Messi on the field raised the level of excitement and interest not only for the fans but also for the entire league, further solidifying MLS as a growing force in global soccer.