See Lionel Messi score his first goal off a banger free kick for Inter Miami in MLS debut

Lionel Messi didn’t make the start on Friday night, but he checked into a match with an MLS team for the first time.

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi made his long-awaited Major League Soccer debut with Inter Miami on Friday night as his team took on Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

Messi has made headlines with his public appearances in Florida since the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain stud shocked the world by signing with an MLS team.

Naturally, his first game was quite an attention-drawing event.

Messi didn’t make the start as he’s had limited training opportunities and hasn’t competed much recently, but he still managed to check into the game in the 53rd minute in a 1-0 match.

He earned quite a reception from the fans in Fort Lauderdale.

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Sergio Busquets, Messi’s longtime teammate in Barcelona who signed with Inter Miami shortly before Messi, made his debut at the same time.

Upon entering the game, Messi was given the team’s captain armband.

Thanks to Messi, Inter Miami has quickly become the most talked-about team in the MLS. Once Messi really gets going, that’s only going to ramp up.

UPDATE: Messi scored on a free kick to give Miami a 2-1 advantage. 

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