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Lionel Messi delivers a stunning game-winner in his Inter Miami debut

In his first game with MLS club Inter Miami, Lionel Messi delivers a stunning game-winning goal

Leagues Cup 2023: Cruz Azul v Inter Miami CF
Leagues Cup 2023: Cruz Azul v Inter Miami CF
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Mark Schofield
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Lionel Messi made his debut for MLS side Inter Miami CF on Friday night, coming on in the 54th minute to a raucous ovation from the capacity crowd DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

It did not take him too much longer to deliver his first magical moment.

Messi scored on a fantastic free kick in the 94th minute to give Miami a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. After the legendary goal scorer put a shot in the upper-left corner of the net, he wheeled away in celebration before finding his family:

The free kick golazo would go down as the final play of the match.

Messi signed a deal with Miami for over two years, worth between $50 million and $60 million annually. But this was the kind of moment the club’s owners had in mind when making the investment, a stunning goal in front of a sell-out crowd.

However, it will be hard to top a moment like this: A storybook introduction to Miami, and their fans.

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