“The world’s number ten, and now your number ten”, roared the Inter Miami CF announcer when the long-awaited moment finally came. All eyes had already been on him even while on the bench, and ten minutes after half-time Lionel Messi finally stepped onto the pitch for the first time as an MLS player.
The Argentine icon came on alongside Josef Martínez and Spanish midfield legend Sergio Busquets, as the Herons were looking to see out a win against **Cruz Azul** in their **Leagues Cup** opener.
From his very first touch of the ball, it was clear that the 36-year-old was keen to hit the ground running straight away. His trademark turns in tight spaces, bursts of pace and devastating eye for a pass were on full display as soon as he found himself on the ball. He combined particularly well with DeAndre Yedlin down the right wing, while he was constantly exchanging passes with Busquets.
Although they’ve spent the last two seasons apart, the former Barcelona icons’ understanding remains intact. After the team were overrun in midfield in the first half, the pair provided a calming presence that served as the springboard for several attacks.
Their mastery was on full display five minutes from time, as the Catalan midfielder played an incisive ball into the box for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was unable to get his shot away.
Messi was involved again just minutes later, as he was played through on goal before laying it up for Josef Martínez in characteristically unselfish fashion, although the linesman’s flag went straight up.
Another offside call stopped the attacking partners in their tracks again shortly after, but in any case, the duo appear to have developed an immediate understanding.
And just as the game looked to be heading for a penalty shoot-out, Inter Miami would be awarded a free-kick from 25 yards out. A chance to win the game with a last-minute free-kick in his very first appearances - a script that seemed almost too perfect.
But Messi stepped up and duly swept it into the top-left corner, and sent the DRV PNK Stadium crowd wild - as well as the entire world of soccer, watching from home. The former Barcelona man could not have dreamed of a better start to life in North American soccer. His team already has one foot in the playoffs, and he’ll be looking to replicate the performance against Atlanta United on Wednesday, in front of his home fans again.
One thing’s for sure - if this is what a post-vacation Lionel Messi can produce on his debut cameo, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing much more of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on the Leagues Cup stage over the next month.
