Lionel Messi's Inter Miami debut saw him come off the bench and turn the tide of the match, his interview afterwards truly summed him up.
Messi's long-awaited MLS debut for Inter Miami couldn't have gone any better against Cruz Azul.
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Making his first appearance for the club after coming on in the 54th minute, a packed crowd of Inter Miami fans including notable celebrities like Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James were there to witness.
He became an instant hero for the club after netting a dramatic last-minute free-kick to seal a 2-1 win for Jorge Tata Martino's side.
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Fans across the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale erupted in joy upon seeing the free-kick go in. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was visibly emotional and the celebrities in attendance couldn't hide their emotions either.
In the dying seconds of the game, Messi won and converted a free-kick in classic fashion, just outside the box. He was interviewed immediately after the game ended by Apple TV and won hearts with what he said.
"What I saw was the goal. I saw the goal, I knew I had to score. It was the last play of the game, and I wanted to score so we didn’t go to penalties," said Messi.
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"It was very important for us to get this win because in the tournament it’s going to give us confidence moving forward."
It was almost as if the universe had willed the goal and this moment for Messi into existence.
A truly unforgettable night for Inter Miami fans as well as players and some encouraging words to go along with it from their new star man, Messi.
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The World Cup winner will be back in action soon enough, with Inter Miami hosting Atalanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Football, MLS
Ninad Barbadikar