American and Mexican leagues: In a thrilling debut for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi experienced a dream moment in the night from Friday to Saturday. The 36-year-old world champion secured a 2-1 victory against Mexican side Cruz Azul with a stunning free-kick during injury time.

The atmosphere at the packed DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale was electric, with over twenty thousand spectators witnessing Messi's magic. Coming on as a substitute in the 54th minute, the seven-time Ballon winner was immediately given the captain's armband.

At the time of Messi's entry, Inter Miami was already leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Robert Taylor. However, in the 65th minute, Uriel A. levelled the score, setting the stage for Messi's grand moment.

Upon his appearance on the field, Messi took control of the game. Almost every attacking move revolved around the Argentine maestro, as he displayed his trademark dribbling skills. He even came close to scoring from a corner kick. It was Messi himself who earned the crucial free-kick that led to his decisive goal.

The match against Cruz Azul was part of the Leagues Cup, a friendly tournament involving clubs from the American and Mexican leagues.

Messi's arrival in Miami caused a frenzy, as he signed a contract with Inter Miami until the end of 2025. The Floridian city was buzzing with excitement, with ticket prices for Inter Miami's matches soaring, and shirts bearing his name flying off the shelves.

However, Coach Gerardo Martino made it clear that Messi might not play a full match yet, as he is still working on regaining full fitness after his vacation.

Before joining Inter Miami, Messi spent the last two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, after an illustrious career at FC Barcelona, where he won countless trophies from 2004 to 2021. With PSG, he secured domestic success with two league titles, but Champions League glory eluded him.

Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, was in need of a boost in quality. The Florida-based club currently occupies the fifteenth and last spot in the Eastern Conference and is unlikely to qualify for the playoffs.

Despite their current struggles, Inter Miami has big ambitions. They recently signed Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who, like Messi, made his debut appearance as a substitute against Cruz Azul on Friday evening.