Lionel Messi nets free-kick winner in Inter Miami debut

Lionel Messi passes the ball during the second half of the Leagues Cup match between Cruz Azul and Inter Miami CF.
Photo: MEGAN BRIGGS/AFP

Lionel Messi scored on a brilliant free kick deep into second-half stoppage time on his Inter Miami debut and lift his new team to a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the cross-border Leagues Cup.

Messi, who signed from Paris Saint Germain, came off the bench in the 54th minute as he’s only had three full training sessions so far with his new team.

Miami was outplayed at times by the Mexican visitors in the match at Fort Lauderdale.

And even the Argentinian superstar who won the World Cup only months ago and captured the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player on seven occasions, had only scattered chances.

But after earning the foul himself about seven yards beyond the penalty area, Messi delivered a left-footed free kick that beat the defensive wall and goalkeeper Andres Gudino to the top left corner.

That sent a sold-out crowd that included the NBA’s LeBron James, tennis’ Serena Williams and media personality Kim Kardashian into celebration after Miami — which sat in last place in the Eastern Conference entering a month-long break for this tournament — won for the first time in any match since May 23.

Robert Taylor also scored for Miami just before half-time to get the Herons off to an excellent start in a three-team group that also includes Atlanta United, part of a competition that includes all 47 teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.

Former LA Galaxy winger Uriel Antuna equalised in the 65th minute for Cruz Azul.

As the second half started, the 36-year-old Messi joined Miami’s subs in warming up along one of the touchlines to chants of “Mes-si, Mes-si!”

He entered the match to a standing ovation.

After Antuna produced an excellent leveller, Messi was caught offside on one apparent equalizer, and Martinez was in a similar position on another.

But there was nothing wrong with Messi’s long-distance winner, which bent around the defensive wall in a way former England star turned Miami co-owner David Beckham made famous.

— Reuters/ Field Level Media