Watch: Lionel Mess scores a dazzling goal in MLS debut
nter Miami forward Lionel Messi celebrates after his goal against the New York Red Bulls during an MLS soccer match at Red Bull Arena, Saturday. (AP)
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Watch: Lionel Mess scores a dazzling goal in MLS debut
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The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who started on the bench, entered in the 60th minute and scored a dazzling goal in his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut. The 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls ended Inter Miami’s 11-match winless streak in the MLS.
Miami had not won a league match since May 13 against New England and had just one road victory, on April 29 at Columbus.
Lionel Messi now has 11 goals in nine games for Miami in all competitions.
For his first regular season goal for the club ????
Cremaschi ▶️ Messi!#RBNYvMIA | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/jyzfCqMKwQ
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 27, 2023
Jordi Alba, made an acrobatic leap to blindly center Sergio Busquet’s cross back pass to Messi. The 36-year-old star dribbled through three defenders and side-footed the ball to Benjamin Cremaschi. The 18-year-old American one-touched the ball back and Messi sprinted toward goal and let it bounce in off his left foot from in front.
Chants of “We Want Messi!” began in the sixth minute and a loud “Mes-si!” “Mes-si!” reverberated throughout in the 35th. Diego Gómez, a 20-year-old Paraguayan forward among four Miami starters making MLS debuts, scored in the 37th minute.
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has admitted it might happen ahead of the game. He even revealed it will happen more next year, when he is a year older and needs more careful management.
“We will assess further after this evening’s training,” Martino had said.
“It is inevitable that we will not have him at some point.
“I understand the expectations the rest of the world has to watch him, and that is undeniable But I cannot act based on that, because then I would risk doing things wrong.
“This will happen (giving Messi rest) at least three times this year, and next year more. We will have to find a solution.”
