Lionel Messi finally took to the field as an Inter Miami player on Friday night. The 36-year-old featured as a substitute in Inter’s Leagues Cup clash with Mexican side Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi entered the action in the 54th minute with Miami leading 1-0. Cruz Azul then equalized in the 65th minute when thanks to Antuna’s powerful strike.
Messi was subbed on on the 54th minute and was immediately handed the captain’s armband upon his arrival to the field. He was joined on the pitch by former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, who also came off the bench nine minutes into the second half.
Messi almost claimed his first Miami assist following a brilliant through pass but Josef Martinez’s touch when rounding the Cruz Azul keeper was marginally too heavy.
Messi then had a soft penalty claim turned down and a dangerous shot blocked before again going close to registering an assist. This time Martinez did put the ball in the net following a pass from Messi but only after the World Cup winner had strayed offside.
But Lionel Messi saved his best moment for the end.
He scored a stunning free-kick goal in the 94th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
That goal was celebrated loudly by a capacity home crowd that included the likes of LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian.