Lionel Messi steps up for the free kick and puts the ball in the top corner. The Cruz Azul goalkeeper had no chance. Inter Miami earns their first victory in eleven games. Watch the Messi free kick for Inter Miami in the video below.
Indeed, the Argentine superstar, 40 minutes after subbing on for his Inter Miami debut, scored a walk-off game-winner. Messi scores just six days after his landmark, transformative deal was formally announced. Going forward, MLS fans will be on their feet every time Messi is on the verge of taking a free kick.
Also, yes, that’s a Cruz Azul player lying down behind the wall which didn’t help. Although it is common to see this when Messi is taking a free kick.
A very pleased Inter Miami owner and former free kick specialist David Beckham smiles as Messi scores the game winner. I wonder if Beckham ever scored a game winning free kick in his first game for a team? And in stoppage time. In addition, I think Beckham took some time to settle in when he joined up with the LA Galaxy!
I do wonder though, did Messi learn how to take a free kick from Beckham. I mean did Messi model his free kick style after Beckham’s.
On the whole, what more could Beckham and the Inter Miami owners have asked for on Messi’s debut. Even they couldn’t have imagined this Messi free kick game winner for Inter Miami.
What’s more, even a better play than the free kick, is this spin away from the defender and through ball by Messi. Or better said, more of a Messi like play that we’re accustomed to seeing from him. A good sign for Inter Miami that he’s confident and comfortable. A perfectly weighted through ball to DeAndre Yedlin by Messi.
Watch Yedlin realize that he’s going to get the ball just where he wants it. Furthermore, the free kick by Messi is genius but we’ll see more of this type of play below in games to come.
Overall, the stars came out for Messi’s debut in Miami, too. Lebron James, Serena Williams, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian were at the game. Apparently Kardashian’s son is is a soccer fanatic. After this game winning free kick by Messi ticket prices are only going to go up and become harder to come by. Moreover, when Messi comes to town they’re going to have to play in bigger stadiums.