Argentina’s football icon, Lionel Messi, made a sensational start to his Major League Soccer (MLS) journey as he curled in a stunning stoppage-time free-kick on his Inter Miami debut, securing a remarkable 2-1 victory against Mexican side Cruz Azul.

The electrifying moment occurred in the fourth minute of added time during the Leagues Cup tie at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Among the 20,000-strong crowd were prominent celebrities like basketball legend LeBron James, tennis icon Serena Williams, and US TV star Kim Kardashian, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the event.

“We wanted to start like this by giving these people a victory,” Messi expressed after the match. “We knew that it was very important for us to kick off this championship with a win. Luckily, we were able to do it in the end, and I am very happy.”

As the final whistle blew, Miami’s pink-colored smoke bombs filled the air behind the goal, with some enthusiastic fans briefly taking to the pitch to celebrate Messi’s game-winning goal before being guided back by security personnel.

This thrilling occasion followed Messi’s official unveiling to fans last Sunday in front of a packed stadium in south Florida. The legendary seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had only trained with his Inter Miami teammates for the first time on Tuesday after joining the MLS team from Paris St-Germain.

Having previously scored 32 goals in 75 games during his two-year tenure with Paris St-Germain, Messi’s move to the MLS marks the first time he has played for a non-European club. As part of a 54th-minute triple substitution, he was joined on the pitch by former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets.

The Leagues Cup competition, which features teams from both the MLS and Mexico’s LIGA MX, represents a fresh beginning for Inter Miami, who have struggled in the MLS, sitting at the bottom of the table without a win in 11 games.

Robert Taylor’s 44th-minute opener ignited the celebration on the bench, with Messi joining in on the excitement. However, Cruz Azul’s Uriel Antuna managed to level the score with 25 minutes remaining.

But Messi, true to his reputation, provided a Hollywood-style ending, as he was fouled just outside the box in the final seconds, setting up a perfect position for his legendary left foot.

The Argentine superstar delivered flawlessly, curling the ball high to the right, beyond goalkeeper Andres Gudino’s reach, and into the top corner. This exceptional goal sealed the victory for Inter Miami, bringing joy and confidence to the team and fans alike.

Watching from an executive box adjacent to the dugout was Inter Miami co-owner and former England captain, David Beckham. He was visibly moved by the moment, particularly since it marked 16 years to the day since he made his own MLS debut for Los Angeles Galaxy.

Reflecting on the exhilarating debut, Beckham remarked, “To be honest, as soon as I saw the free-kick given, I thought this is the way it’s meant to end. Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch, that’s what they produce.”

Beckham also acknowledged the significance of Messi’s presence for the sport in the United States, saying, “It’s such a moment for this country, such a moment for this league.”

With Messi’s talent and charisma now gracing the MLS, the league and its fans can look forward to an extraordinary and transformative chapter in American soccer.