The official first season of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer has ended.
Before Friday’s friendly against NYCFC at DRV PNK Stadium, Messi shared his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and expressed gratitude to Inter Miami supporters during a brief pregame celebration.
In the second half, the crowd yelled “Vamos, Messi” (Let’s go, Messi). In the closing seconds of the game, Messi had a chance to equal the score with a free kick from approximately 25 yards away.
However, NYCFC spoilt the evening by defeating the friendly 2-1. This was the first meeting between the two teams since their MLS regular seasons ended on October 21 without postseason invitations.
This evening was more about honouring Messi’s contributions during his short four-month tenure with the US soccer team than it was about the outcome.
Messi stated, “For me, it’s something amazing to share with you,” after accepting his eighth golden trophy overall. This puts him ahead of all other players in the standings.
Even though I haven’t been here long, it seems like a long time. As I mentioned at the outset, I had no doubts that we would love our time here, and I now have no doubts that it will be even better next year.
Owner of Inter Miami Jorge Mas tallied the days—122 of them—that have passed since Messi, his spouse Antonella, and their kids touched down at a tiny airport a short distance from the team’s pitch.
The official first season of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer has ended.
Before Friday’s friendly against NYCFC at DRV PNK Stadium, Messi shared his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and expressed gratitude to Inter Miami supporters during a brief pregame celebration.
In the second half, the crowd yelled “Vamos, Messi” (Let’s go, Messi). In the closing seconds of the game, Messi had a chance to equal the score with a free kick from approximately 25 yards away.
However, NYCFC spoilt the evening by defeating the friendly 2-1. This was the first meeting between the two teams since their MLS regular seasons ended on October 21 without postseason invitations.
This evening was more about honouring Messi’s contributions during his short four-month tenure with the US soccer team than it was about the outcome.
Messi stated, “For me, it’s something amazing to share with you,” after accepting his eighth golden trophy overall. This puts him ahead of all other players in the standings.
Even though I haven’t been here long, it seems like a long time. As I mentioned at the outset, I had no doubts that we would enjoy our time here, and I now have no doubts that it will be even better next year.
Owner of Inter Miami Jorge Mas tallied the days—122 of them—that have passed since Messi, his spouse Antonella, and their kids touched down at a tiny airport a short distance from the team’s pitch.
Mas praised Messi as “the epitome of football greatness, a living legend unrivaled in skill and vision, often acclaimed as the finest No. 10 to ever grace the beautiful game in the world.”
