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Inter Miami icon Lionel Messi dribbled over an injured defender during the season opener of the Major League Soccer (MLS) 2024 season. In the opening clash of the tournament, Messi-led Miami locked horns with Real Salt Lake at Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Thursday, February 22 (IST). Miami defeated their counterparts 2-0 as the Argentine superstar set up one goal and assisted another.
Messi assisted Robert Taylor to secure an early lead in the 39th minute but it was his dribble a few minutes later that instantly went viral on social media and caught everyone’s eyes. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner dribbled along the penalty arc and lofted the ball over Salt Lake’s Andrew Brody, who was on the ground after getting injured. Messi chipped the ball carefully over Brody before firing a shock that ended up getting blocked by another defender.
I knew I was going to face tough competition: Luis Suarez
After playing his first game in the MLS, Suarez said, “I knew I was going to face tough competition (in MLS). And Inter Miami, being one of the favourites for the title, we knew we were going to play always against full force.” Against Salt Lake, Messi sealed the win for his side by combining with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and extended his side’s tally to 2-0 in the 83rd minute.
Messi had 11 goals in 14 matches he played with Inter Miami last season, which led to his first-ever trophy with the side, the Leagues Cup. In the 2023 season, Messi appeared for the side in only six MLS matches and scored only once.
