Category: Lionel Messi

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi played his first match with Inter Miami and it couldn’t have gone any better. The international superstar wasn’t in the starting lineup Friday night against Cruz Azul, but was inserted in the 54th minute. With the match tied 1-1, he drew a foul in the 90th minute, then rocketed a free kick into the top right corner for Inter Miami’s first win in two months. Pink fireworks exploded above DRV PNK Stadium and the Inter Miami faithful let out its loudest roar since the club began play in 2020. Messi was noticeably quick in his first minute on the field. He...

FORT LAUDERDALE — Thousands of fans filled DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday night and there wasn’t even an Inter Miami game being played. And even despite a lengthy weather delay, international soccer superstar Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammate and new Inter Miami signee Sergio Busquets were still formally introduced in a monumental moment for American soccer. “We’re doing this Miami-style in the rain,” Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said. “This is holy water.” Security abandon their post as the worst of the weather came in. Supporters breached the gates and passed security with...

Inter Miami’s last match without Lionel Messi ended the same way it has 13 other times this season: a loss. The Argentine superstar signed his contract with the club Saturday afternoon, but did not play as his teammates hobbled their way to a 3-0 loss at St. Louis City. It was also Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s first match as head coach. His new team hasn’t won a match since May 13, an 11-game winless streak. Inter Miami sleepwalked through the first half and fell behind 2-0. Second-half substitutions proved beneficial, but familiar Miami attacking-third woes were still present. Martino didn’t...