Inter Miami

It didn’t take long for Lionel Messi to show why he is the GOAT. See his game-winning goal

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. mocner@miamiherald.com

Lionel Messi showed South Florida what all the hype was about Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.

With almost no time left in his first game with Inter Miami, Messi drew a foul and stepped up for a free kick.

Then he scored the game-winning goal. Miami beat Cruz Azul, 2-1.

And the crowd went wild.

READ MORE: Worth the hype! Messi scores last-minute free-kick goal to beat Cruz Azul in Miami debut

Here’s how that looked:

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) is fouled by Cruz Azul defender Carlos Salcedo (3) during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) is fouled by Cruz Azul defender Carlos Salcedo (3) during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after being fouled by Cruz Azul defender Carlos Salcedo (3) during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after being fouled by Cruz Azul defender Carlos Salcedo (3) during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
With his magical left foot, Lional Messi lofted a shot toward the top left corner of the net and scored a game-winning goal in stoppage time.
With his magical left foot, Lional Messi lofted a shot toward the top left corner of the net and scored a game-winning goal in stoppage time. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi’s shot made it past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudiño (30).
Lionel Messi’s shot made it past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudiño (30). Nathan Ray Seebeck Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the go ahead goal.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the go ahead goal. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) and defender Christopher McVey (4) after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) and defender Christopher McVey (4) after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) greets the fans after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) greets the fans after scoring the go ahead goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul.
Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi celebrates with his family after scoring the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul.
Lionel Messi celebrates with his family after scoring the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul. DAVID SANTIAGO dsantiago@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami Co-owner Jorge Mas reacts after forward Lionel Messi (10) scored a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami Co-owner Jorge Mas reacts after forward Lionel Messi (10) scored a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against Cruz Azul in the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published July 22, 2023 at 4:16 PM.

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