Becks cries, Serena stunned and Speed dumps Ronaldo – reaction to Messi’s Inter Miami debut

Robin Bairner

• 22 Jul 2023 08:10 BST
• 4 min read

Lionel Messi made a dream start for Inter Miami as he introduced himself to the MLS side by scoring a last-kick winner against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

Messi arrived on the field 10 minutes into the second half as a replacement, with his side 1-0 up, but the Liga MX side had hit back to level by the time the World Cup winner found himself stationed over a free kick with the clock ticking towards the 94th minute.

In true Messi style, he casually strolled up to the ball and stroked it into the top corner of the goal with his left foot. On debut, the Argentine had already shown his qualities and why there was such a clamour over his signature in the summer, even at the age of 35.

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It was a gala affair at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium, where there were numerous celebrities from all walks taking in the match – and there were plenty of cameras there to capture their reaction to Messi’s first steps.

Of course, all eyes were tuned on franchise co-owner David Beckham, who celebrated the winner raucously with his family. After the match, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was caught with a tear in his eye, showing just how much the moment meant to him after a difficult start to the season for Miami in MLS.

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But he was far from the only celebrity there. Tennis great Serena Williams looked stunned when the camera cut to her after the winning goal. Serena, a 23-time major champion, knows a thing or two about greatness and certainly appreciated Messi’s contribution to the evening.

Sitting alongside her was Kim Kardashian, who appeared almost equally amazed.

’I’m a Messi fan if this goes in – Speed

Influencer Speed, meanwhile, might have some questions to answer over his love of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The YouTuber is known as a Ronaldo superfan but prior to Messi’s winner said: “If Messi scores this free kick, I’m a Messi fan.”

Speed was wearing a Portugal top, but after watching the ball hit the net, he ripped it off to reveal an Inter Miami jersey with Messi 10 on the back – a reaction that will not impress Ronaldo.