The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner made the perfect start to life in the United States with a stunning stoppage-time strike
It was always going to be like this. Of course, Lionel Messi would come on in the second half. Of course, he would get a chance to take a last-minute free-kick with the game on the line. Of course, he would find that one sliver of net out of reach of the opposing goalkeeper. And, of course, it would hand Inter Miami a 2-1 win.
Here was the debut of dreams, the perfect introduction to American soccer for Messi. The score, in a sense, wasn't really going to matter here. It was clear in the celebrities that lined the pitch, in the Argentina kits in the crowds, in the tifo unveiled before kick-off: This was Messi's introduction to the United States, not necessarily a football match.
Fortunately, there was a lot to like about this contest as a sporting event. Both sides had their chances in the early stages, with Cruz Azul hitting the post and Miami peppering the visitors' goal. The home side were rewarded for their pressure, with Robert Taylor pinging a shot in off the post to give his side the lead on the stroke of half-time. But the Messi chants that rang around DRV PNK Stadium from the first minute showed that it was only about one man.
And the home fans were graced with 35 minutes of the Argentine, who swiftly inherited the captain's armband. His impact was almost immediate, a weaving run and quick interchange within 60 seconds of his arrival on the Florida turf. He could do little to stop Cruz Azul's equaliser, though, as Uriel Antuna leveled things with a lashed effort.
Then, in the 93rd minute, Messi had his moment. He was clattered on the edge of the box, found the back of the net by obligation, completing the sort of dream debut — one that somehow also seemed inevitable.
GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at DRV PNK Stadium…
Messi has still got it
That's more or less how it works these days. Messi is now a player who operates in moments. He scores free-kicks, finds neat assists, makes the very complex look simple. He no longer dominates games as much as he raises them, occasionally popping up with the spectacular as a reminder that the greatest to ever do it is indeed on the pitch.
Most of the familiar Messi things were here. The Argentine enjoyed the normal slew of weaving runs and dips of a shoulder. He cut between defenders, found angles that didn't exist, and offered some much-needed sharpness in the final third.
But there were also less impressive moments. Messi had the audacity to lose the ball once or twice, while his 36-year-old legs offered little help in Cruz Azul's rapid transitions. These are the things that Inter Miami will have to adapt to, the faults they will need to fix if they are to turn their season around. Those free-kicks won't come every night, or every game. But on Friday, it was perfect.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBusquets bosses it
There was also a debut for another big-name signing, as Sergio Busquets had the misfortune to be subbed on after Messi, his arrival met with some respectful cheers and generous applause — a far cry from the screams that greeted the previous new signing.
And he was arguably more impactful than the Argentine. Miami had lost control of the midfield before Busquets entered the game, Cruz Azul playing through their triumvirate far too easily. And Busquets, in signature style, filled some of those gaps.
He no longer has the legs to cover space like he used to, and gets exposed in transition these days. But his positional awareness and calmness on the ball was vital. He linked up with Messi on a number of occasions, as his passing as reliable as ever.
There was one crunching tackle, a few sneaky fouls that weren't whistled, and plenty of diagonal balls. He doesn't bring the same spectacle as Messi, but he might just be as important this side.
Stars show up for Messi
David Beckham occupied the owner's box. Kim Kardashian was seen entering the stadium. Serena Williams watched eagerly from the sideline. And before the game, one men's sporting legend hugged another, as Lebron James and Messi shared a moment prior to kick-off.
This was, of course, a must-see event in the world of American soccer, a contest that MLS will hope proves to be a seminal moment in the growth of the game in the country. But it was also a celebrity gathering, with some of the most recognizable faces in sports and entertainment in attendance to watch Messi's debut.
And that might just become the new norm in Miami. Messi's signing was equal parts sporting quality and marketing excellence. His presence alone is enough to make Inter Miami a must-see team. The on-field performances will inevitably be raised, but it's not necessarily about that for the VIPs on the touchline.
And DRV PNK Stadium, for all of its limitations as a venue, will likely be hosting countless A-Listers in the coming months. Friday night, it seems, was just the start.
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Miami still have work to do
Miami are currently bottom of the MLS' Eastern Conference by some distance. Tata Martino's squad find themselves 12 points out of playoff contention with 10 games to play, and there is no guarantee that they will be playing into the fall. That much was clear for long stretches on Friday night. The home side were badly exposed at times, often beneficiaries of Cruz Azul's poor finishing.
And even when Messi was on, some weaknesses were there. The visitors still had their moments, and forced Drake Callender into a handful of neat saves. Messi or not, there might be problems to come.
And those will, hopefully, soon be fixed. More signings will surely arrive, with Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta among those to have been mentioned. Further, more youthful, legs will perhaps be needed. As Argentina showed at the World Cup, there must be a team of runners assembled around Messi in order to get the most out of him. Either way, this is a team that will only get better — but needs time to get there.