LIONEL MESSI PUT on a show in Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer curtain raiser against Real Salt Lake.
Messi put in a man-of-the-match display for Tata Martino’s ambitious team in Wednesday’s 2-0 win, 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.
The first goal of 2024 belongs to Robert Taylor!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2024
The set-up from Messi and a finish to make it 1-0. 💥
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/D7skJOK7bn pic.twitter.com/cWCFmvGrjc
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.
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.
