Lionel Messi's every move was closely watched in his Major League Soccer playoff debut. Every touch, every shot attempt, and even moments of inactivity were captured by the 'Messi-cam' dedicated to the Inter Miami superstar during their playoff-opening 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Friday night. The exclusive livestream on MLS's TikTok account showcased the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner throughout the match, reflecting the excitement surrounding Inter Miami since Messi joined the team mid-season in 2023.
The stadium was filled with Messi fans and notable attendees, including Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, former NFL player Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, and actor Idris Elba. Johnson expressed his enthusiasm in a televised interview, stating, 'The Messi effect has been awesome. It’s been very awesome.' He highlighted the global impact of having Messi in the U.S., contributing to the growth of soccer and making it more popular among the many sports available.
Although Messi didn't score, he assisted Jordi Alba's go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Several of his attempts were thwarted by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made five saves against Messi that night. Inter Miami secured the No 1 seed in the playoffs, setting MLS records for points (74) and winning percentage (.765).
Despite missing nearly half the MLS season due to injury and national team commitments, Messi, who scored a hat trick in the regular-season finale, is a contender for league MVP. He finished the season with 20 goals and 16 assists, joined by teammate Luis Suarez who also scored 20 goals, making them the first pair of MLS teammates to achieve this milestone in a season.
The 37-year-old showed his joy by smiling and hugging his teammates when Suarez scored the opening goal within the first two minutes of the match. Messi's highlights included a swift strike from outside the box, which Guzan pushed over the crossbar, and a moment of disbelief when Guzan denied him again. Fans were on their feet for most of the first half, eagerly capturing photos and videos of Messi when he was near the pitch.
Inter Miami can secure the best-of-three series by winning Game 2 in Atlanta on November 2nd.
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