FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi’s first season with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer is officially over.
Messi shared his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and thanked Inter Miami fans during brief pre-match celebrations ahead of Friday’s friendly against NYCFC at the DRV PNK Stadium.
In the second half, the fans chanted “Vamos, Messi” (Let’s go, Messi). Messi had a chance to score a free kick from about 25 yards out in the final seconds to equalize the score. On a difficult day, his left boot flew over the net and he missed every opportunity. It was a rusty day on the field for the world’s greatest player.
New York FC spoiled the night, winning the friendly 2-1 in what was the first game between the two sides without qualifying for the playoffs since the end of the MLS regular season on October 21.
The focus of the night wasn’t on the result, but on celebrating the impact Messi had in his brief four months with U.S. Soccer.
“It’s an amazing thing for me to share with you,” Messi said after lifting his golden trophy, the eighth of his career – more than any other player .
“Even though I’ve been here for a short time, it feels like a long time. Like I said at the beginning, I never doubted that we would enjoy our time here and now I have no doubt that it will be even more next year. good.”
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas is counting the days since Messi, his wife Antonella and their children touched down at a small airport just yards from the club’s stadium – it’s been 122 days .
Mas called Messi “the greatest player of all time” and “the greatest No. 10 in the world.”
“This football club was created with a dream, that South Florida would have the greatest football team this country has ever seen,” Maas said. “When America talks about football, people think of and believe in Miami, and that has always been our wishes and goals.”
Since Messi joined the club, Inter Miami’s profile has grown exponentially, with sales of the pink and black Inter Miami No. 10 jersey and global Apple TV viewership rising.
Messi helped Inter Miami win the League Cup in August, the first title in the club’s short history. Inter Miami finished second at the U.S. Open but failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami, but the club is winless in its past seven games (excluding friendlies).
While Messi’s season didn’t bring success for Inter Miami, it was an exciting one for MLS.
“You, Inter Miami fans, have the best player ever,” MLS president Don Garber said during the celebrations.
“Lionel, thank you for your belief in Major League Soccer and making your club and our league the league of choice.”
Messi will join Argentina in two more World Cup qualifiers, against Uruguay in Buenos Aires on November 16 and Brazil at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 21.
Messi is not expected to rejoin Inter Miami until they begin preparations for next season in January, with a demanding schedule that includes the CONCACAF Champions League, Carabao Cup, US Open and US Pro Soccer Major league season. Messi may also represent Argentina in the Copa America next year.
“We will continue to enjoy and continue to win titles and I hope you will support us like I did when I came here,” Messi said. “It’s really great and we have important games to face together next year.”
Here’s what Messi said to Inter Miami fans before the game (via team translator):
“Good evening. First of all, thank you, thank you for being here, thank you for hosting this beautiful ceremony. It is a very beautiful thing for me to share with you. I have only been here a short time, but it really feels like It’s like I’ve been here a long time.
“I want to thank everyone in Miami, not just the people in the stadium but the entire city, for the way you’ve treated me and my family over the past few months. You’ve proven that.” Give it to me Lots of love and made me feel at home. It’s a city with a lot of Latinos, which makes me feel comfortable and we get along really well, so thank you very much.
“Like I just said, we haven’t been together long but we have achieved something very important and this is the first title for this club, our club. It is very important because this is what we came to look for ‘s, because we need to think about how we performed as a club and who we were as players. It’s important for next year because it makes it possible for us to play in another important tournament (Concacaf Champions League ). As I said in the beginning I had no doubt that we were going to have a great time and that we would enjoy it and today I have no doubt as much as I didn’t in the beginning and now not to mention the days to come Yes. This year will be much better.
“We’re going to continue to enjoy, we’re going to continue to win championships and I want you to be with us as you have been for these few months that I’ve been here because the truth is we need your support and it’s a great thing to have you there Nearby. As I said before, we have important things to do next year and we have to do them together. Thank you very much. Good night.”
Messi could only look at the net in disbelief. This time, he tried to score with his right leg. The result was the same as it had been for many nights.
In the 88th minute, Messi’s shot flew out of the net.th minute.
He will probably play the entire friendly match.
Inter Miami is also being considered.
Substitute Robbie Robinson’s left-footed shot into the right side of the net in the 1980sth Minutes, this game could see Messi playing from long range.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Messi was expected to score a spectacular goal as he had been chasing it for most of the evening.
Messi struck out on his own but was unable to provide fans with the magic moment they watched in Friday night’s friendly.
During the game, Messi’s left-footed shot was once again blocked by New York FC goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Messi’s first shot of the second half missed slightly to the left of the goal, but nearly found the net in the 52nd minute.
Only two minutes into the second half, New York FC extended their lead. In the 48th minute of the friendly match when Messi was celebrating, Julian Fernández fired a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area into the top left corner of the net, giving NYCFC a 2-0 lead.
Talles Magno, who scored the first goal, assisted on the second goal.
Messi is in the game, but how long he can play is a question of the second half.
This is Messi’s night. But that doesn’t stop NYCFC spoilers.
Talles Magno’s left boot for the 42 seasonUnknown date. In the 1st minute, New York City led 1-0.
The crowd at the DRV PNK Stadium fell silent before half-time.
Messi’s best chance came in Game 27th A minute later he fired from close range – at least for him.
Instead, Messi ended up falling to the ground after his attempt.
Messi received a pass in the box but uncharacteristically made the mistake of kicking the ball into the net. It’s almost like Messi scored before he actually scored.
He eventually appeared on the pitch and was supported by the NYCFC goalkeeper as the game continued – hey, it was a friendly after all.
Just before the 33rdRD Minutes later, Messi shot again and flew into the Miami International Stand.
Every time Messi touched the ball in this game, the noise from the fans grew in intensity.
Messi misses first shot in ten gamesth minute, the left shoe barely rose above the net and into the crowd. But fans in attendance were eager to capture a memorable goal on their phones.
About a minute later, Messi flicked a shot on goal, but the NYFC goalkeeper leaned over and knocked the ball away with his right hand. Messi grimaced after the missed opportunity.
at 20th A minute later, Messi tried to weave between at least six NYFC defenders, but his shot deflected off an opposing player and landed behind him.
Surprise, surprise. Messi, of course, was in Inter Miami’s starting lineup in a friendly on Friday night to celebrate his eighth Ballon d’Or.
Here is Inter Miami’s starting lineup:
The game kicks off at 8pm and will be broadcast on Apple TV.
It turns out Zinedine Zidane did more than just watch Messi in action at Inter Miami in September.
Messi and Zidane sat together for a lengthy conversation, which was posted on the Adidas YouTube channel this week. What a treat for the fans.
“It’s a pity we can’t play together,” Zidane told Messi. “Now is my moment to pass the ball to you.”
Zidane also said of Messi: “Today is a very important day for me because I can tell him how much I admire him… I think it’s magic, pure magic.”
Watch the interview here:
Martino said Messi might not play in the entire friendly against New York FC.
“I’m not sure if he’s going to play the full 90 minutes, but he’s going to play,” Martino said this week.
While this game is Inter Miami’s final warm-up of the offseason, it can also serve as preparation for two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Argentina later this month.
The friendly against NYCFC has been named the “Noche d’Or” by the club and Messi will be honored on the pitch before kick-off at 7:45pm.
Messi, Inter Miami general manager Jorge Mas and MLS president Don Garber are expected to speak. Messi’s Ballon d’Or trophy will also be presented to fans at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi will participate in two more World Cup qualifying matches with the Argentina national team this month.
Argentina will face Uruguay in Buenos Aires on November 16 and Brazil at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 21.
Messi is now healthy and did not take part in Inter Miami’s game, and he could get significant playing time in both games.
Messi did not score in his last game for Inter Miami, but played the entire game. On October 21, Inter Miami lost 1-0 to Charlotte FC, ending American professional football. Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
But he returned to form in the most recent game against Argentina, playing 93 minutes against Peru on October 17 and scoring two goals.
Messi missed six Inter Miami games in the final month of the MLS season with a right leg injury.
Messi and Inter Miami were scheduled to travel to China earlier this month to play against the Chinese Super League in China with two friend teams, but their trip to China was ultimately cancelled.
Instead, they will end 2023 against NYCFC.
“We would really like to play some friendly matches, but since the situation does not depend on us, we cannot go to China,” Martino said this week. “But it’s also a great opportunity.”
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