WATCH : Lionel Messi scores stoppage time winner on his Inter Miami debut

Upon his Leagues Cup debut for Inter Miami CF on Friday, July 21, against Cruz Azul, Lionel Messi scored an incredible late free-kick. The Argentine star left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after his contract expired and joined the MLS as a free agent. Football throughout the US is expected to draw a large audience thanks to his arrival, and he demonstrated this in his very first game.

Friday’s Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul took place at the DRV PNK Stadium. Robert Taylor gave them the advantage when he scored in the 44th minute. Uriel Antuna, however, brought the score back for Cruz Azul during the 65th minute. Then the amazing free-kick for Messi in the 94th minute helped Inter Miami to the win.

Messi humbled and reminisced on his amazing goal following the game, saying, “Last minute winning-goal? Well, I tried this free-kick shot, as I always do. I was lucky that it was a goal. I am very happy.”

Watch the video below: 

“We’ve opened new chapters for the sport in this country”: Jorge Mas

Lionel Messi faced multiple options for his future step as his move away from PSG drew near. Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia made him a sizable offer, and Barcelona was also working to get him to return to the club.

Instead, the Argentine star decided to come to the MLS, which is thought to be an important decision for the league. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With Messi’s arrival, football in the nation is anticipated to attract a sizable international following.

Jorge Mas, the co-owner of Inter Miami, thought about this and discussed the 36-year-old’s potential influence. He said, “We have (already) succeeded. Expectation is something else, but we’ve succeeded. The fact that Lionel Messi is here, that Sergio Busquets is here and others are going to come, that we’ve opened new chapters for the sport in this country, we’ve succeeded.”

Sergio Busquets as well as Jordi Alba, Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, have also joined him after leaving the Catalan club on free transfers previously this summer.