George Willis
FORT LAUDERDALE — Of course, Lionel Messi did.
Messi made his historic Major League Soccer debut memorable by scoring on a free kick with just seconds left to play. Giving Inter Miami CF a thrilling 2-1 victory over Liga MX side Cruz Azul before a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi didn’t play in the first half, but validated all the expectations and hype of his arrival in the United States with his game-winning kick into the left side of the net at 91:55 left, sending his teammates and the crowd into hysterics.
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The Argentinian celebrated by saluting fans like Marcelo Velorosa, 57, and his 87-year-old father Enereo Ricardo Velorosa who were among those who arrived at the stadium more than two hours before the game was scheduled to begin.
“We’re crazy,” Marcelo Velorosa said while wearing a pink Inter Miami No. 10 jersey, while his father sported an Argentina No. 10 jersey. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We’re so excited. We’re crazy.”
So was just about everyone else, all eager to witness what felt like a historic event. LeBron James, who also made a big noise when he signed with the Miami Heat, was in the building to give Lionel Messi a pregame hug. Two GOATS sharing notes on what it feels like to be heroes in South Beach. Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams were also among the thousands in attendance.
More than 200 media members also showed up for what many called the most significant soccer event signing since Pele came to America in June of 1975 for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.
“This is bigger,” Marcelo Velorosa said.
Technically, it was a 2023 Leagues Cup matchup between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul. But this was the continuation of Messi Mania which has engulfed South Florida this week with the soccer icon’s arrival.
His debut in Major League Soccer comes 16 years after David Beckham, now co-owner of Inter Miami CF, joined the LA Galaxy in June of 2007. This is bigger. Bigger than Beckham. Bigger than Pele.
“I remember when Pele came to the United States,” Velorosa said. “These are different times, especially with social media. That makes everything explode. Tonight is not just a South Florida event. It’s a global event. I can take pictures and send them to Argentina. This will definitely boost soccer in the United States.”
That’s what Inter Miami is counting on. It’s what the MLS is counting on, and it’s what Apple TV, which paid $2.5 billion for MLS broadcast rights for the next 10 years, is counting on.
Time will tell just much Lionel Messi’s signing with Inter Miami will have. Friday night, it was magical.
Despite signing a two-year contract worth an estimated $70 million per season and other perks, Messi didn’t start the game. He didn’t even play the first half, keeping the crowd in a state of suspense while the two clubs battled in what seemed like a slow tease.
Chants of “Messi…Messi” erupted sporadically throughout the stadium as if their voices could will him onto the pitch. “Ole…Ole…Ole…Messi…Messi” was also chanted in classic soccer game style.
Robert Taylor put the home team ahead 1-0 with a right foot kick inside the right post just before the half. It gave the home fans something to cheer. Messi stood and applauded from the bench.
He wasn’t on the pitch when the second half began. Instead, he warmed up his legs with some light jogging with the other substitutes on the sidelines, prompting another “Messi…Messi” chant. Never has someone not playing the game attracted so much attention.
When he finally came to the sideline and put on his pink No. 10 jersey at the 53-minute mark, the crowd went wild as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA World Cup champion made his much-anticipated debut.
Cruz Azul put a brief damper on the thing when Uriel Antuna tied it 1-1 during the 65th minute. Meanwhile, Messi was being double and triple-teamed nearly every time he had possession. He had his first attempt for a goal blocked at the 71-minute mark. He had another potential scoring chance thwarted by traffic at the 84-minute mark.
It looked like he might have an assist at the 86-minute mark, but a potential score by Taylor was nullified by Messi being offside.
It looked like the game was headed to a penalty kick, then Lionel Messi ended it, in what is only the beginning of what could be a legendary run in America’s top soccer league.
George Willis is a columnist for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.
