Soccer superstar Lionel Messi made his long-awaited Major League Soccer debut with Inter Miami on Friday night as his team took on Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
Messi has made headlines with his public appearances in Florida since the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain stud shocked the world by signing with an MLS team.
Naturally, his first game was quite an attention-drawing event.
Messi didn’t make the start as he’s had limited training opportunities and hasn’t competed much recently, but he still managed to check into the game in the 53rd minute in a 1-0 match.
He earned quite a reception from the fans in Fort Lauderdale.
Shop Messi Inter Miami Authentic Pink JerseyThe moment we’ve been waiting for.
Welcome to the show, Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/3NYCnVOpx9
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
Phones out as Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets enter for Inter Miami for the first time. pic.twitter.com/v9lqZ4AJIH
— Alanis Thames (@alanisthames) July 22, 2023
Sergio Busquets, Messi’s longtime teammate in Barcelona who signed with Inter Miami shortly before Messi, made his debut at the same time.
Upon entering the game, Messi was given the team’s captain armband.
Messi took the captain's armband after subbing on for his debut 🐐 pic.twitter.com/o2f52NiIWe
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2023
Thanks to Messi, Inter Miami has quickly become the most talked-about team in the MLS. Once Messi really gets going, that’s only going to ramp up.
UPDATE: Messi scored on a free kick to give Miami a 2-1 advantage.
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
LIONEL MESSI WINNER ON HIS DEBUT 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/cCrcNuAyak
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 22, 2023
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