July 22, 2023, 3:14 PM
July 22, 2023, 3:14 PM
Like a Hollywood script Lionel Messi debuted at Inter Miami scoring the goal of the victory in the last play, a magical performance that triggered the already enormous expectations of his arrival in American soccer
The spectacular free-kick goal from the Argentine in the 90+4 minute Friday’s clash against Cruz Azul, which gave Inter a 2-1 victory on the opening day of the Leagues Cup, had a global impact from which the sought-after and ultra-competitive sports market in the United States did not escape.
The collective madness that the DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale experienced began to materialize the vision of the owners of Inter and MLS to attract the biggest star in the world to give the definitive boost to ‘soccer’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-organize with Canada and Mexico.
As much as his providential left-footed shot, over the barrier and direct to the Mexican squad, media and social networks amplified the disbelief of the celebrities who witnessed the prodigy from the front row.
NBA superstar LeBron James, who melted into a pregame hug with Messi, He was taking pictures with his phone of the moment in which the ‘Flea’ entered as a substitute in the 54th minute and the tennis giant Serena Williams was left with her mouth open next to Kim Kardashian when she saw the decisive goal.
“AMAZING!!!!” wrote LeBron Jameswho won two rings for the Miami Heat in the past decade, by retweeting Messi’s target.
David Beckham, co-owner of Interwas hugged by his wife, Victoria, and could barely hold back tears of emotion.
The Englishman, whose signing in 2007 by the LA Galaxy put MLS on the soccer map, He had assured on Sunday in Messi’s presentation that his arrival, for which he worked for the last four years, “was a dream come true.”
After his sour departure from Paris Saint-Germain, where he was booed by fans in his last game, Messi smiles again at the chosen destination after fulfilling his greatest desire to win, in Qatar-2022, a world title with Argentina.
The Argentine now enjoys a city that adores him and speaks your language, a club that goes out of its way to make you comfortable and a league that has laid out the red carpet for you and will offer its matches globally through Apple TV+.
“I am very happy to be here. This is the place that we chose with my family and we are very happy to have chosen it,” said Messi on Friday, who gave himself the pleasure of hugging his children in the stands after his goal.
There is still a long way to go so that ‘soccer’ compete in popularity with sports such as American football, baseball or basketball in the United States, but Saturday’s was a great starting point.
The debut of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner managed to gain a foothold on the front pages of national media such as The New York Times, which headlined: “Messi marks the difference”.
“As he begins his career at Inter Miami, the enormous impact of the soccer star It is already making itself felt in a city known as the unofficial capital of Latin America”pointed out the newspaper about the soccer fever that the city of Florida is experiencing.
The front page of the Miami Herald newspaper reserved its biggest photograph for the celebration of Messi’s goal, with his new pink Inter kit, his recovered number 10 on his back and the captain’s armband which they immediately handed over to him upon entering the field.
On television, the most followed sports news such as the one on ESPN they also dedicated unusual spaces to football to recount the premiere of the albiceleste captain.
In addition to the goal and the numerous flashes of quality that Messi left on the pitch, the Inter fans he was excited about his harmony with the Spanish Sergio Busquets, that promises a football never seen before in this franchise that has experienced four gray seasons in the MLS.
The veteran midfielder, who made his debut at the same time as Messi, He is the first of a long list of former teammates at FC Barcelona whom Inter tries to recruit to cover the Argentine.
The left back Jordi Alba, who has also signed for the franchisewas unable to travel in time for the party on Friday due to the birth of her third child.
In addition to the triothe Inter also is attentive to the conversations between Luis Suárez and Gremio to lure the Uruguayan striker to Miami and reunite him with his good friend Messi.
The reunion of Barcelona legends, under the orders of a former Barça coach like Gerardo Martino, It could even be completed with the Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta, who at 39 is reluctant to say goodbye to football and is looking for a destiny after five seasons in the Japanese league.
