Lionel Messi wasted little time scoring in his first match outside Florida with Inter Miami.
The only wait was to see whether the goal would count.
Messi's left-footed kick from just outside the penalty box beat FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes inside the left post, giving Miami a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute Sunday night.
Josef Martinez was initially ruled offsides by the head referee for interfering with Paes' view, but the call was overturned on review.
Messi has scored in all four matches since joining Miami, with six goals total. He had consecutive multigoal games coming into the Leagues Cup round of 16 match in Frisco, about 30 miles north of Dallas.
Messi's second multigoal game came in the first Leagus Cup elimination game, which was delayed by an hour and a half because of a torrential rainstorm in Florida.
The fifth game in Texas in Messi's illustrious career had a kickoff temperature of 100 degrees (38 degrees celsius) on the 14th consecutive day of triple-digit heat in the Dallas area.
Because of the high temperatures, teams took a heat break at the 25-minute mark of the first half.
Despite many fans in the sellout crowd waiting out the heat before taking their seats, most were in place when Messi's former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba passed back to the trailing superstar, setting up the goal.
The winner of the round of 16 match was headed to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals against the winner of Monday night's match between Charlotte FC and Houston.
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22 Comments
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wallace
I respect him for not going to Saudi like too many others.
Jimizo
He’s getting on but obviously still has the outrageous ability and a slower, less competitive league will allow him to use it.
As mentioned, better than going to Saudi. Quite a few players have put a bit of a blot on their reputations for doing this.
wallace
Hendo and Fabinho have angered Liverpool fans.
Jimizo
Henderson was disappointing. Even an Everton fan could respect him as a player and leader.
Not as if he’s short of a few bob. He’d also have had options elsewhere.
cuddly
He’s getting on but obviously still has the outrageous ability and a slower, less competitive league will allow him to use it.
Playing in a league made up of many Americans who were on the team that tied England in the World Cup.
Messi knows where the future is at, and smartly avoided the foreign-owned Premier League.
Jimizo
Messi is reportedly carrying a chronic condition called achilles tendinitis.
Not sure if he needs painkillers to play.
A slower league is certainly better for him given his age and condition.
A great league for one of the all-time greats to showcase what he’s got
wallace
Messi wanted to live in his Miami apartment and is getting a bit old to survive the rigors of the premier league. Many foreign players in the American leagues.
cuddly
The best player in the world is playing in a primary US-owned team league in the US, as opposed to a primary US-owned team league in Europe. Obviously having conquered the World Cup, he realized the competition in the Premier League is past its prime.
Jimizo
I think so. Too quick and physical.
You can’t carry passengers in that league these days.. Man U saw that with an ageing Ronaldo.
wallace
Messi has never played in the premier league so it is irrelevant to the article.
wallace
cuddly
I guess you know nothing about Messi's achilles tendinitis. He can no longer play top-level football. RKL quit your trolling and show some real interest in the game.
cuddly
That's the point.
The Premier League has no worldwide start caliber players for a reason.
wallace
The top 10 football clubs in the world. Three are English and the No. 1 is Man City. Liverpool is 6th. Not a single American club in the top 100.
https://footballdatabase.com/ranking/world/1
wallace
Messi wanted to continue to play football but he needed to downgrade his league because of his health and he also wants to spend more time with his children. Miami was a good choice for him.
Jimizo
Apparently Achilles tendinitis can affect movement and flexibility.
He certainly won’t be weaving through defences too much but he’s an outstanding passer of the ball. Not too shabby on free-kicks either.
Can still offer something at this level. Not sure if he’s going to be able to play every match though.
Enjoy him when you can.
wallace
Achilles Tendonitis can occur when the tendons are weakened from being constantly overexerted. Rolling over on your foot also places extra strain on the tendon. Over time, lesions can form inside the tendon, which becomes inflamed, making the Achilles tendon much weaker and less stable.
ClippetyClop
Is the Pathetic infant Troll back under yet another new name?
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
They are ambassadors of the Beautiful Game. Talented footballers and experienced football managers from Latin and Central America, Europe, and Africa are taking the Beautiful Game to audiences worldwide. Fans in North America and Asia love good football. Lionel Messi, CR7, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and several of their esteemed colleagues are following the footsteps of the legendary Pelé, Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Jurgen Klinsmann, Gary Lineker, David Beckham, and several other legends. Upcoming national football leagues in Saudi Arabia, India, and elsewhere are attracting young kids both boys and girls to play and enjoy the Beautiful Game.
cuddly
Man City is UAE owned, and Liverpool is American owned.
So, you are totally wrong.
wallace
Even foreign owned clubs are still English clubs playing in the English league in England and it still makes the Premier League the number one in the world.
wallace
It’s embarrassing how little some people know about the game.
Fighto!
Leo Messi is promoting the game better than anyone else could. And he has earned the right to play in a league not as cut-throat as the top Euro leagues. Where he can express himself and entertain.
There is no doubt the US is a massive market - much of it untapped for football. If Leo inspires more girls and boys to join a soccer club in the States, the next generation is going to be the winner!