Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham had a front row seat as star man Lionel Messi put on a show in the Major League Soccer curtain raiser against Real Salt Lake.
Match Report
The Manchester United and England great flew to Florida for the season opener and will have liked what he saw from Tata Martino’s ambitious team in Wednesday’s 2-0 win.
Messi put in a man-of-the-match display, producing some outrageous footwork, seeing a free-kick cleared off the line and hitting the bar directly from a corner before setting up Robert Taylor’s opener.
The 36-year-old received a half-time hug from Will Smith – one of the stars in attendance at upgraded Chase Stadium – and continued to play with an irresistible swagger.
While Miami lost their way as a team after their dominant first half, they dug deep and eventually killed off vastly improved RSL.
Messi showed brilliant strength, speed and close control to drive forward through the middle before playing in Luis Suarez, who set up Diego Gomez to score in the 83rd minute.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham hugs Luis Suarez
That moment gave Miami new life and the former Liverpool striker saw a debut goal brilliantly denied by Zac MacMath, who was guilty of allowing Taylor’s first-half strike to squirm past him.
Salt Lake’s goalkeeper also thwarted Messi at the end of an incredible run down the right as the hosts ended a challenging second half on a high.
In truth, the only person able to keep up with the Argentina skipper on Wednesday was his personal bodyguard, who went up and down the touchline tracking the star throughout the game.
Line-ups
Inter Miami CF XI: Messi, Suarez, Sergiy Kryvtsov, Alba, Busquets, Robert Taylor, Yedlin, Julian Gressel, Drake Callender, Diego Gómez, Tomás Avilés
Subs: Jean Mota, CJ dos Santos, Shanyder Borgelin, Campana, Lawson Sunderland, Israel Boatwright, Noah Allen, Ryan Sailor, David Ruíz
Real Salt Lake XI: Zac MacMath, Cristian Arango, Justen Glad, Andrew Brody, Pablo Ruiz, Braian Ojeda, Brayan Vera, Nelson Palacio, Diego Luna, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Emeka Eneli
Subs: B. Oviedo, Marcelo Silva, Maikel Chang, Anderson Julio, Erik Holt, Noel Caliskan, Bode Hidalgo, Gavin Beavers, Fidel Barajas
Jaudekstz
1076
Congratulations Messi and Inter Miami🎉
kaumrtz
689
Taylor has been the main man of the team not FIFA boy
LEOMI10
581
On the pitch, Lionel Messi orchestrates the game with a virtuosic fusion of vision, precision, and artistry, his piercing passes weaving tapestries of opportunity, his dribbling wizardry bewitching defenders, and his leadership inspiring a symphony of collective brilliance, elevating teammates and the sport itself to new heights of magnificence. Lionel Messi, The 🐐
Pattytommy
381
The goat carrying a bottom team to new heights that's MESSI the only one
Evans0323
330
I must say that apart from the winning this Inter Miami need good players and a Coach, their defense and midfield is so bad that they cannot even play you a good pass, always losing the ball to opponent, and their weak link in that defense is that Ukrainian defender that old man is so weak, and the guy called Gressel is a waste of a midfielder, I don’t really know how Messi find himself in such Team
Gbengababs
252
News headlines these days Ronaldo scores a hat trick for Al Nassr Messi puts in a great performance for his team Me:- I'd rather achieve my GOALS!!!
Mawsor09
236
They praised Pepsi for assisting but when Ronaldo does it .. it because he can't score lucky 🤣🤣.. Nicaragua fisherman for a reason
LEOMI10
233
On the pitch, Lionel Messi orchestrates the game with a virtuosic fusion of vision, precision, and artistry, his piercing passes weaving tapestries of opportunity, his dribbling wizardry bewitching defenders, and his leadership inspiring a symphony of collective brilliance, elevating teammates and the sport itself to new heights of magnificence. Lionel Messi, The 🐐
Ineznik
220
just a reminder yesterday on the same date Ronaldo scored his third goal of 2024
Charliey
8
Taylor has been the main man of the team not FIFA boy
Before messi came he was so useless sitting on bench now.. Taylor carry the team now hypocrites