Following his heroics in the majestic deserts of Qatar, Lionel Messi gathered the spotlight due to his uncordial relationship with French giants PSG. Despite receiving tempting offers from Saudi clubs and a proposal from his former team FC Barcelona, the Argentine surprised everyone by choosing to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in an against-the-odds move.
After weeks of eager anticipation, Inter Miami officially unveiled the seven times Ballon d’Or winner in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Fort Lauderdale stadium. In the most awaited debut of the Argentine maestro, several high-profile celebrities, like LeBron James, graced the occasion.
Lionel Messi shares heartwarming moment with LeBron James
The highly anticipated debut of Lionel Messi in America was met with a star-studded affair, with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James among those in attendance. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, club owner David Beckham, Serena Williams, and former NBA champion Tristan Thompson were also present to witness the Argentine maestro in action.
LeBron James and Lionel Messi shared a heartwarming moment before the start of the match. The sporting fans were in awe as arguably the two best players of their respective sports shared a frame. Following Messi’s stunning free kick in the closing stages, the four-time NBA champion expressed his admiration by tweeting “INCREDIBLE.”
INCREDIBLE!!!! đ https://t.co/fEhhXSZRAx
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 22, 2023
Lionel Messi opens Inter Miami account with 94th min winner
Inter Miami has been struggling in the ongoing MLS campaign. As we pass the halfway mark of the season, the American club finds itself at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference. However, the arrival of the Barcelona trio of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba has spread optimism among many Inter Miami supporters. Despite entering the match as a substitute in the 54th minute, the Albiceleste captain emerged as the decisive factor for Gerardo Martino’s team.
The seven-time Ballon dâOr winner once again showed his class by scoring a perfect free kick from about 25 yards in the 94th minute, securing Inter Miami a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mexican club Cruz Azul. The Argentine maestro was seen embracing his teammates and his family after that iconic moment. Fans were quick to admire the Argentine superstar, with one tweeting “This has to go down as one of, if not the greatest debuts in US sports history.” while another tweeted “They make movies about this kind of stuff. Greatness.”
LIONEL ANDRĂS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
After a remarkable debut, the question remains: can Lionel Messi prove to be the catalyst for the ailing Inter Miami team and help them to be playoff contenders by the end of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
