Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to 2-0 Victory in MLS Season Opener
In a thrilling Major League Soccer (MLS) season opener, Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance and led Inter Miami to a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. The match, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, saw Messi play a pivotal role in both goals, while his team endured intense pressure from their opponents in the second half.
The first goal came late in the first half when Robert Taylor found the back of the net. In the second half, Diego Gomez extended Miami’s lead with another goal. Despite their dominance before the break, Inter Miami struggled in the second half and were fortunate to maintain their lead until Gomez’s goal.
Messi, who was in top form, mesmerized the sellout crowd with his exceptional skills, darting through defenders effortlessly. He came close to scoring from a free kick and a corner kick in the first half. MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his hopes for Inter Miami’s success, stating that the eyes of the world were on the team.
Last season, Messi had an impressive record of 11 goals in 14 matches with Inter Miami, leading them to their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup championship. Despite joining late in the season, Messi made a significant impact, scoring once in six MLS matches. However, injuries hindered his performance towards the end of the season, and Inter Miami failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Messi’s arrival continues to generate immense excitement. Fans lined up outside the team store to purchase his jersey, which was the top-selling MLS jersey last year and features a new sponsor design this season. Messi contributed to the team’s victory by providing an assist for the first goal and setting up Luis Suarez, his former Barcelona teammate, who assisted Gomez’s goal.
Inter Miami faced a challenging preseason tour with seven matches in five different countries, accumulating approximately 25,000 miles of travel. Despite a modest record in the exhibition season, they displayed their potential as title contenders in the MLS season opener.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino praised Messi’s performance, highlighting his unique ability to create goal-scoring opportunities from deep positions. Martino emphasized that it was only the first game and cautioned against premature judgments. However, Messi’s presence alone has a profound impact on the team and garners attention from fans and media alike.
At 37 years old, Messi remains a football icon and continues to captivate audiences on and off the field. Apple TV recently released the first episode of “Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend,” showcasing his journey to greatness. The streaming service, which has a lucrative deal with MLS, expressed their surprise at the overwhelming success of Messi’s debut season in the league.
As Inter Miami embarks on their quest for playoff success, Messi’s influence will undoubtedly be a crucial factor. While it was just one game, Messi’s exceptional skills and global appeal have elevated the team’s profile and generated tremendous excitement among fans. With Messi leading the way, Inter Miami aims to make a lasting impact in the MLS.