In typical Lionel Messi fashion, his first goal with his feet in the 2024 MLS season came at a time when Inter Miami needed it most.
Inter Miami, playing their first road game against the LA Galaxy, trailed 0-1 throughout the game until the referee called for overtime. Knowing he needed to do something behind the goal to at least force a draw, Messi started working on the pitch.
He appointed new teammate Jordi Alba. The former Barcelona star followed Messi to Miami last season and helped create chances in front of LA Galaxy’s goal.
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On February 25, 2024, Inter Miami’s No. 10 Lionel Messi scores the tying goal in stoppage time of the game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Congratulations from Andre Yedlin. (Keboke Jansezian/Getty Images)
It started with a Messi turnover and was a passing clinic until Messi kicked the ball back into his left foot. He found Alba just outside the 18-yard box and immediately dropped the ball for Messi.
Then, getting closer and closer to goal, Messi sent a beautiful touch pass to Alba, who lifted a cross into the middle. However, Alba didn’t want anyone other than Messi, who continues to run.
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Messi stuck out his left foot and met Alba’s cross perfectly, leaving the goalkeeper to watch as the ball flew into the top of the net, making the game 1-1.
Inter Miami’s No. 10 Lionel Messi ties the score in second-half stoppage time against Los Angeles Galaxy’s No. 4 Maya Yoshida at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on February 25, 2024. Score a goal. (Keboke Jansezian/Getty Images)
The crowd went wild and it was a star-studded match in Los Angeles.
A record crowd of 27,642 people turned out to see Messi on Sunday, including celebrities such as Halle Berry, Hilary Duff, Edward Norton and Lil Wayne, as well as fellow athlete Novak Djokovic. , Puka Nacua, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi were also included.
Messi was seen leaving the match before the match, taking Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s son Saint West with him.
“Tonight’s La Galaxy vs. Inter Miami game, the Saints put Messi on the field!!! He’s literally living the dream!” Kardashian wrote about X with an accompanying video.
Messi, who helped Inter Miami avoid their first loss of the season, is just one of the many players expected to be signed.
Inter Miami No. 10 Lionel Messi yells instructions to his teammates during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 25, 2024 in Carson, California. (Keboke Jansezian/Getty Images)
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They started their MLS season this Wednesday by defeating Real Salt Lake in their home opener. That’s when Messi assisted his first goal of the year. Robert Taylor’s shot bounced off the goalkeeper and into the net.
