SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
After doing some shopping in Miami’s Publix with family and friends, men’s soccer star Lionel Messi made his initial appearance with Inter Miami, and in his first Soccer League match Friday night, tallied the goal-winner in the 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul.
The goal came in the 94th minute before an estimated turnout of 21,000 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and with it the entire crowd stood and cheered as Messi waved.
It was Messi’s first time in this lineup and he had never before played in South Florida. He entered play for the first time late in the first half and saved his best for last. He watched the ball sink into the net, something he’s done about 800 times before club and country.
Then he sprinted to the right corner of the pitch and leaped into the arms of teammates. Miami trailed 1-0 when he entered play and the huge crowd all appeared to be standing, almost all of them with phones out to chronicle the moment.
It was 1-1 after striker David Buckman scored for Inter Miami at the 65th mark of the second half on a breakaway that ended with a header, and then it was Messi kicking his way into the fans’ hearts.
Should be plenty more for the game’s finest player in his new lineup.
