Lionel Messi creates sorcery in Inter Miami’s 2024 opener: “He’s determined”

In Wednesday night’s 2024 MLS regular-season opener between Inter Miami CF and Real Salt Lake, Lionel Messi showcased his extraordinary talent with a series of remarkable moments. Before halftime, Messi nutmegged an opponent, provided an assist for Robert Taylor’s goal, executed an incredible flick to evade an injured defender, and even had a chat with Oscar-winning actor Will Smith.

In the second half, Messi continued to shine, embarking on a stunning breakaway run and delivering a decisive pass to Luis Suárez, leading to Diego Gómez’s goal in the 83rd minute. Despite Miami’s defensive lapses, Messi’s stellar performance propelled them to a 2-0 victory, kickstarting their highly-anticipated campaign on a winning note.

Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo Martino praised Messi’s form, highlighting his ability to create scoring opportunities from seemingly improbable situations. Messi’s influence was evident throughout the match, including moments such as a nutmeg on RSL midfielder Diego Luna and a breathtaking self-pass over Andrew Brody while the defender was injured.

Gracias Miami 🖤🩷 pic.twitter.com/9WhWW5fhiQ

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 22, 2024

Martino expressed satisfaction with Messi’s motivation and physical condition, emphasizing his readiness to go the full 90 minutes and deliver vintage Messi moments. Looking ahead, Messi could continue to dazzle in Miami’s upcoming match against LA Galaxy, potentially attracting more attention from Hollywood A-listers.

Despite the temptation to rotate or rest players early in the season, Martino remains focused on competitive momentum, indicating that star players like Messi will likely continue to play key roles in Miami’s campaign.