Lionel Messi produces ‘one of most ridiculous balls ever seen’ in first MLS goal

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    Lionel Messi produced one of “the most ridiculous passes ever” before scoring his first Major League Soccer goal for Inter Miami on Saturday.

    It is no secret that the seven time Ballon d'Or winner has taken the USA by storm since joining Inter Miami this summer. He already guided the side to an MLS Leagues Cup victory and got them into the final of the US Open Cup with a narrow penalties win over Cincinnati this week.

    But the 36-year-old reserved arguably his most dazzling moment in a pink Miami shirt after coming on as a substitute against New York Red Bulls. The Argentine maestro was given a much needed rest by head coach Gerard Martino before entering the fray on the hour mark.

    And after a quiet start, Messi stole the show in the dying minutes by scoring his 11th goal in nine matches and sealing a 2-0 win on the road.

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    Messi received the ball in the penalty area as Jordi Alba acrobatically fed a lofted Sergio Busquets pass into him, showing a near-telepathic understanding between the three Barcelona legends.

    Messi twisted and turned before slipping a sumptuous through-ball in-between the Red Bulls defence for Benjamin Cremaschi to run on to – despite the midfielder being out of shot when the ball was played.

    The latter’s first-time cross found the 2022 World Cup winner unmarked for a tap-in as his teammates rushed to celebrate the goal with him. But on this occasion it was Messi’s incredible vision that left US fans in awe rather than the finish.

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    “This is one of the most ridiculous balls I’ve ever seen,” the commentator gushed. “Look at that ball. Just an absolute show.

    “Vision, pace of pass and finishing the ball. Messi just gave New York City one of the best goals you will ever see.”

    Miami had taken the lead in the 37th minute courtesy of Paraguayan Diego Gomez, who pirouetted in the box and slotted home a left-footed strike. The win lifted Miami off the bottom of the Eastern Conference and 11 points away from a playoff spot with 11 games left to play.

    Club co-owner and Manchester United legend David Beckham took to Instagram to react to the win, writing: "Where dreams are made of… Thank you NYC. Great win on the road @intermiamicf."

    • Inter Miami
    • David Beckham
    • Lionel Messi

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