Carlos NavaESPN Digital WriterReading: 3 min.
Messi comes off the bench and makes his MLS debut with a goal
The Argentine star started the game against NY Red Bull on the bench and after coming on as a substitute, scored the goal that ensured Inter Miami’s victory.
Messi was rested for the first 60 minutes of the game and entered when Miami was already leading the New York Red Bulls 1–0; Scored in 89′.
Messi was rested for the first 60 minutes of the match and entered with Inter already leading the local New York Red Bulls 1-0 before the cheers erupted from most of the fans that packed the New York Stadium.
Gerardo ‘Tada’ Martino has already warned that Messi will not start the game or even play as a starter as he has a lot of work to do since the start of the League Cup match. They were crowned a few days ago.
The same happened to his team-mate Sergio Busquets, who did not start as a starter, and together with Messi they played every minute of regular time, compensation and extra time and two penalty shootouts in the previous six games.
It was the official debut of the 2023 Major League Soccer season for Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba, who played every minute of the game.
Inter’s goal that eventually turned out to be the difference came from Diego Gomez in the 37th minute. Ukrainian defender Serhiy Krivtsov wasn’t even on the bench, as he was the only Miami player to start every game since the rookie season. The team began under the leadership of Gerardo ‘Tada’ Martino.
In the 89th minute, Messi only pushed over a Gremachi finish after beating a defender and before Alba’s superb start.
It was Messi’s 11th goal in nine games with Inter Miami.
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