Lionel Messi shows he's greatest showman and leaves David Beckham close to tears

22 July 2023 , 02:42

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This is why he will be regarded as the greatest showman.

Lionel Messi produced the most remarkable finish on his Inter Miami debut to make the whole world sit up and take notice. Messi scored a 94th-minute winner with a stunning free kick on a night no one in the DRV PNK Stadium will ever forget.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham looked close to tears when he did a TV interview on the pitch afterwards. You could not imagine a better script. And it will make headlines across the globe because this is Messi. The greatest player in the world can still produce unforgettable moments of sheer quality.

Messi lifted a team which could not buy a win to victory with his incredible talent and then provided the perfect end to one of the biggest nights in MLS history.

That is typical Messi. The player who won it all for Barcelona, lifted the World Cup and is now on one final adventure - and is clearly still determined to make his mark.

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They had turned up in great numbers, queuing up for Messi shirts hours before kick-off with tickets changing hands on websites for more than £1,000 each.

LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian were at the DRV PNK Stadium for a who’s-who of sports and showbiz. They came to see the legend - and were not disappointed.

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Lionel Messi shows he's greatest showman and leaves David Beckham close to tears

Messi showed why he is the greatest showman with his incredible finish on his Inter Miami debut (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Messi, 36, started the match on the bench but that almost did not matter because it was all about the banners, everyone wearing pink shirts and the anticipation.

And it was a genuine “I was there” moment when Messi came on in the 54th minute as a substitute for Benjamin Cremaschi.

His every touch was greeted with huge cheers and excitement as almost immediately he lifted Inter Miami and went on those darting, mesmerising runs which made him the best player in the world.

Inter Miami were lucky to go ahead against Mexican side Crus Azul in their opening Leagues Cup match. Former Lincoln City and Boston Town midfielder Robert Taylor scored a terrific goal after an even better cross-field pass from Robbie Robinson.

Messi's freekick sparked bedlam and saw Inter Miami snatch a dramatic win (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Inter Miami had not won in six games in all competitions, they are rock bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference and, even after Messi came on, it is obvious they are a team short of confidence and quality.

But Messi can give them both. Mexico star Uriel Antuna scored an equaliser for Cruz Azul in the second half. And time was running down, Inter Miami had run out of ideas and not even Messi could find a way through.

Then Messi was brought down on the edge of the box in injury time. Messi grabbed the ball, lined up the free kick and whipped it up and over the wall and into the top corner.