Lionel Messi made sure no American soccer fan will ever forget his entrance to the MLS.
In the 94th minute of his Inter Miami debut against Liga MX's Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action, Messi earned a free kick.
The international star scored to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory with the first goal of his MLS career.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportMESSI'S FIRST GOAL FOR INTER MIAMI AND IT'S A GAME-WINNER π€―<br><br>WHAT A MOMENT <br><br>(via <a href="">@MLS</a>) <br> <a href="">
Major League Soccer @MLSLeo Messi WALKS IT OFF. π€―<br><br>An unreal ending to this <a href="">#LeaguesCup2023</a> battle. <a href="">
The clutch game-winning tally earned praise from American sports stars watching the Inter Miami tilt, including Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James.
Patrick Mahomes II @PatrickMahomesWild man! π <a href="">
LeBron James @KingJamesINCREDIBLE!!!! π <a href="">
The ending to the match was exactly the kind of clutch play fans expected of Messi when they tuned in from around the world to watch the international superstar's Miami debut.
πππππππ @ChaaliiyKayLIONEL MESSI, THE GREATEST THERE IS. THE GREATEST THERE WAS. THE GREATEST THERE EVER WILL BE.<br><br>GOAT!!!!
πππΌπ ππΌππππ @HeatvsHatersWhat a storybook start for Messi. <br><br>South Florida sports are on the rise π«‘
wheresrobthomas ξ¨ @wheresrobthomasMessi scores the game winner in the 93rd minute of his Miami debut, I thought the Hollywood writers were on strike?
JJ. Omojuwa @OmojuwaIt was written in the stars. Last minute Lionel Messi free kick to win it for Inter Miami. This was written.
ππ¦π« π³π± @vinrmfcThe most anticipated debut ever and he delivers a goal that American soccer fans will never forget. Still in shock that Messi is in the MLS and he continues to produce magical moments. The greatest there has ever been. <a href="">
ππ @ErlingRoIeMessi scoring that last minute winner on his debut in America was written in the stars. Another footballing story added to his illustrate career. The greatest footballer to grace the sport π
WONESTππ @johanhonestyTHIS WHY MESSI THE GOAT <a href="">#InterMiamiCF</a> <a href="">#Messi</a>
CHAYO @phuckitschay<a href="">#Messi</a> is poetry , first goal from a free kick . No one does it better than the goat
TJ McLaughlin @TJMcLaughlin2Messi is the greatest thing to happen to North America.
PowerBike boyπ€΄ @mysocialextraWatching Messi is the greatest feeling in the world
The excitement started 54 minutes into the Friday night match.
Inter Miami fans had spent the entire first half of the game waiting for Messi to appear. The wait and the $1,300 tickets were worth it when Messi subbed in early in the second half.
B/R Football @brfootballπ¨ LEO MESSI MAKES HIS INTER MIAMI DEBUT π¨<br><br>(via <a href="">@MLS</a>)<a href="">
James and Serena Williams were among the celebrities watching Messi enter the match.
B/R Football @brfootballThe stars were all ready for Messi's moment πΈ <a href="">
The crowd already spent the first half of the match chanting Messi's name. When he finally stepped on the field for the first time, the noise at DRV PNK Stadium was deafening.
Zach Oliveri @Zach_OliveriIf Messi scores a goal, I'm sure we'll hear the roar of the crowd all the way in Fort Myers. <a href="">#InterMiamiCF</a>
Messi (in his goat voice) @macallisterlfcThe crowd cheering "Messi, Messi, Messi" is enough to make a grown man cry πβ€οΈ
FPL Fin (Jake) @FplFinCrowd going mental to Messi coming on, love it.
Dani Joiπ³οΈβππΉπΉβ€οΈπ€ @daniijaysonGoosebumps hearing the roar of the crowd as Messi touches the ball <a href="">#InterMiamiCF</a>
Alphaβ¦πͺ @alfonzogambinothe crowd get turnt everytime Messi touch the ballππ
Jose Wong @iAMwongatronEvery touch Messi gets, the crowd goes wild! Actual goosebumps. MY GOAT!!!
Messi recorded his first two MLS shots off assists from none other than Sergio Busquets, who subbed in for his MLS debut alongside Messi in the 54th minute.
Messi spent 13 years playing alongside Busquets in Barcelona.
Rich Lee Poor Lee @MrLeeRWilliamsLol Messi just trying to find Busquets and vice versa
dennis @sbadennithat was the first busquets pass to messi in like over 2 years :')
Rei Bateyanami @reibateyanamiBusquets to Messi the world is healing
Ted @Ted_tweets2Even after not playing together for a couple seasons, that <a href="">#Messiπ΅</a> <a href="">#Busquets</a> connection is strong as ever. Poetry in motion.
Glenn-HODL @GlennHODL4Busquets is contracted to only pass to Messi
dey @kr4ken_fcbMessi x Busquets π₯
β΅ @nicktharulaBusquets-Messi buddy ball is special
vidalfnts11 @VidalFuentes95This game is like Messi + Busquets vs Cruz Azul ππ
Jesus Sanchez @jsanch_14Messi and Busquets will absolutely dominate the MLS. They are in a completely different levelπ
Having seen Messi's connection with Busquets and his game-winning goal, Inter Miami fans will leave Friday's match happy. They will hope to see Messi play again when the team returns to action on Tuesday with a Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United FC.
