Lionel Messi debuted a new celebration in his first start for Inter Miami and performed it right in front of David Beckham.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner curled in an incredible 94th minute free-kick winner on his debut for the Herons against Cruz Azul on Friday night.
He made his first appearance from the off for Inter in their latest Leagues Cup fixture, this time against MLS opposition in Atlanta United at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Advert
And Messi's dream start across the pond continued as he grabbed a brace and set up one of Robert Taylor's two strikes in a resounding 4-0 win.
Messi, wearing the captain armband for Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's side, scored both goals with his weaker right foot in the first 22 minutes.
He set up Taylor's second and Inter's fourth in the 53rd minute with an inch-perfect pass for the Finland international to latch onto.
The 36-year-old went off in the 78th minute to a standing ovation after producing a complete and utter masterclass.
After one of his goals, Messi showcased an all new celebration that we haven't seen from him before.
He typically points to the skies after finding the net but occasionally busts out a new gesture - whether it be his banging head celebration against Spurs or the ear-cupping gesture aimed at Louis van Gaal which was 20 years in the making.
This time, Messi held out his hand almost as if he was grabbing or holding an invisible object. Some had said it was meaning to "hold my beer", while others compared it to Star Wars' Darth Vader and Marvel superhero Thor.
The expression on Messi's face was a serious one but then quickly turned to a big grin. Many had claimed the celebration, which has become a bit of meme, was directed at his family in the stands, with sons Thiago, Ciro and Mateo, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia all in attendance.
However, an alternative angle shows England icon Beckham, who worked tirelessly to pull off the mega deal, smiling back as Messi celebrated.
Messi and Inter return to action in the Leagues Cup round of 32, where they will take on Orlando City, Houston Dynamo or Santos Laguna.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, David Beckham, MLS
Josh Lawless