Lionel Messi and Inter Miami had been on the march, attempting to pull off what most people (everyone?) around MLS thought impossible just six short weeks ago: qualify for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs despite sitting last in the Eastern Conference when Messi arrived.
But Messi and his pals were on the wrong end of late dramatics at Supporters’ Shield-winners FC Cincinnati on Sunday, as the Argentine came off the bench but saw a countryman score the winner for the other team: Alvaro Barreal.
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Messi took three shots in his 35-minute appearance against Cincinnati, converting 3-of-4 dribbles, committing two fouls, and drawing three.
Messi had missed six of seven games for Inter Miami, playing just 37 minutes before Saturday’s loss. It’s his first time appearing in a loss, and eliminates Inter Miami from postseason contention.
Next up: two matches with Charlotte FC, at home on Oct. 18 and away three days later.
[ MORE: Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets unveiled by Inter Miami ]
How to watch Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer
Dates: Feb. 25 - Oct. 21 (regular season)
How to watch MLS games: Apple TV
The stars come out to see the GOAT
LeBron James, Selena Gomez, Prince Harry, Gerard Butler, James Harden, Owen Wilson, and Leonardo DiCaprio were among the stars in attendance as Messi set up two goals to set Inter Miami on their way to a comfortable 3-1 win over reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC.
What a night in LA 🤩 pic.twitter.com/wkwcoIvuDX
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023
Sergio Busquets and Messi combined to set up Jordi Alba for Miami’s second as the former Barcelona trio goal turned on the style.
Some Sunday fun 👀
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 4, 2023
Take a look at tonight’s highlights from our 3-1 win and catch us back in action on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV next week. pic.twitter.com/N9i8CQ8KKu
Messi sets up goal for himself with stunning pass on MLS debut
Messi made his MLS debut at the New York Red Bulls and came off the bench with 30 minutes to go and delighted the vast majority of the crowd at Red Bull Arena.
His incredible pass set up Benjamin Cremaschi to cross for Messi to tap home and just look at the wizardry in the video below in slow-mo. A thing of beauty.
Inter Miami won the game 2-0 and are closing the gap on the teams above them, while they have games in-hand as they hope to make a late surge to finish in the playoffs.
Poetry in motion from Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/oZX8nsHfBl
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 27, 2023
Messi inspires late comeback to reach Open Cup final
Yep, he did it again. Messi was the chief creator in a late comeback for Inter Miami, who trailed at Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati 2-0 with just over 20 minutes to play. Messi then put two perfect crosses on a plate for Campana to head home with the second Miami goal coming in the 97th minute to force extra time.
After a 3-3 draw, Miami ended up winning the semifinal on penalty kicks as they now host the Houston Dynamo in Miami on Sept. 27 in the U.S. Open Cup final (watch live on Telemundo and online via Peacock Premium en Espanol). That’s right, in his first few months in Miami it is possible that Messi will win two trophies.
Lionel Messi goal video: Argentine scores in Leagues Cup Final win
The greatest player of all time is now a Leagues Cup champion as Messi scored in 23rd minute of the final in Nashville, and then needed to score in penalty kicks.
[ MORE: Full match recap, video highlights ]
That wasn’t half the drama, as he came within one shooter of having to attempt a second penalty; Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender saved his Nashville SC counterpart and Tata Martino’s team won 10-9 in an 11-round shootout.
Miami has now won all seven of its games with Messi in the lineup, all in Leagues Cup action, and Inter can still win three trophies this year — the MLS Cup is a long shot but who knows, right? — and has guaranteed the MLS side a spot in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
What a goal.
Out of this WORLD. 💫
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 20, 2023
Take a bow, Leo Messi. pic.twitter.com/qm90VJtVbc
Lionel Messi scores in Leagues Cup semifinal
Finals here we come 👏
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 16, 2023
Check out tonight’s highlights and catch us back in action in the finals this Saturday on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV. pic.twitter.com/ebKqCBOoqA
Lionel Messi scores against Charlotte FC to reach League Cup quarterfinal
Messi scored late on in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal clash at home. Messi started and finished the move late on to seal the superb win as he continues with his Marvel-themed celebrations.
Messi does it again 🔥🔥
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 12, 2023
5 games straight✅
8 goals✅
Campana to Messi for our fourth 👏#MIAvCLT | 4-0 pic.twitter.com/l7amAxwzrB
Lionel Messi scores two, including stunning free kick to force penalties... which Inter Miami win
Lionel Messi scored a brace Inter Miami beat FC Dallas on penalty kicks in the Leagues Cup last 16 after a wild 4-4 draw in Frisco, Texas on Sunday.
Messi’s first against Dallas came in the sixth minute after a lovely assist from Jordi Alba (seen that before, haven’t we?) and it was a beauty.
Another game. Another goal. Just Messi things. 🐐
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
After Video Review, his sixth goal in four matches stands! pic.twitter.com/SZLTppHm9D
His second goal was a stunning free kick in the 85th minute to take the game to penalty kicks. Because Messi. Even the home fans seemed to be celebrating this incredible goal.
OTRO GOLAZO DE NUESTRO CAPITÁN 🫡 🫡🫡#DALvMIA | 4-4 pic.twitter.com/aOhBw7LJGZ
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 7, 2023
Lionel Messi scores twice in win against Orlando - August 2
Messi scored his second-straight brace as he led Miami to a 3-1 win against Orlando City in Leagues Cup action on Wednesday as the home crowd went wild.
Robert Taylor’s beautiful chip set up Messi for his first and as you can see from the finish below, this dude has no chill. Zero.
MESSI X ROBERT TAYLOR BANGERS ONLY 🤯🤯
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 3, 2023
Taylor puts Messi in with the chip to give us the early lead over Orlando City.#MIAvORL | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/kvb8Lmcccj
Messi’s second goal sealed the win in style.
Doblete de MESSI 2️⃣#MIAvORL | 3-1 | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/8ryNpYhBZK
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 3, 2023
Lionel Messi scores two, assists one in first start for Inter Miami - July 25
Busquets 🤝 Messi
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 25, 2023
Messi puts us in the lead early with his second goal for the Club 👏👏#MIAvATL | 1-0 | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/JZtEpe9Hfa pic.twitter.com/GKujBMsW1V
Taylor ➡️ Messi for his second of the night to double the lead in the 22nd minute 👏#MIAvATL | 2-0 pic.twitter.com/bVvzkLJdDA
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 26, 2023
Taylor bags a brace 2️⃣
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 26, 2023
Messi sets up Taylor for our FOURTH of the night 👏#MIAvATL | 4-0 pic.twitter.com/ssG8CyqXWu
Lionel Messi scores stunning last-gasp free kick winner on debut for Inter Miami - July 22
When the most eyeballs are on them, the greatest of the greats always deliver, and that’s exactly what Lionel Messi did with an inch-perfect, game-winning free kick in his Inter Miami debut.
Messi made his debut as a 54th-minute substitute, with the likes of LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian, among other A-listers, in attendance at DRV PNK Stadium. Inter Miami led 1-0 when Messi came on, but 11 minutes later Cruz Azul were level in the opener of the newly launched Leagues Cup, featuring sides from MLS and Liga MX.
It was Messi who won the free kick as stoppage time started to slip away and a disappointing 1-1 draw looked likely — without the iconic, standout moment that the 36-year-old Argentine superstar was courted to provide.
Here’s another thing about those greats: They also have an impeccable sense of timing.
Messi stepped up to take the free kick from 25 yards out, and he couldn’t have placed it in the back of the net any more perfectly if he walked the ball to, and tossed it over, the goal line by hand.
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
THATS WHY HE IS THE 🐐 pic.twitter.com/vM5l87uZe3
— Tito Benach (@TitoBenach) July 22, 2023
Messi, 36, won the World Cup with Argentina in December and the focus soon became his club future.
The Barcelona legend fell out with Paris Saint-Germain and much-rumored moves to Saudi Arabia or back to Barca did not materialize before David Beckham’s Miami came calling for the Rosario native.
Messi arrives in South Beach with a tremendous haul of statistics. He’s scored 704 club goals between Barca and PSG while chipping in 338 assists in 863 appearances.
The living legend’s also scored 103 goals with 56 assists for Argentina in 175 caps for the senior national team.
Lionel Messi: Unveiling ahead of Inter Miami debut
The moment we’ve been waiting for.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
Welcome to the show, Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/3NYCnVOpx9
Tonight’s Starting XI vs Cruz Azul#CAZvMIA | 8:00PM ET |📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xAKfYsdSf5
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 21, 2023
Messi on the scene. 📍 #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ISWpJojj6B
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 21, 2023
Messi and longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets were unveiled by Inter Miami over the weekend, and an on-pitch debut is coming soon.
Messi’s taken training with MLS basement-dwelling Miami but his Major League Soccer debut will have to wait as the Leagues Cup is up next for the Floridian outfit.
Inter Miami hosts Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21.