Lionel Messi has lost none of his desire to play and his talent. This is the main lesson from the start of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, which saw its Inter Miami team receive and beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 on the night of Wednesday to Thursday .
The record holder for France Football Ballon d’Or triumphs (eight crowns between 2009 and 2023) played the entire match and inspired all the dangerous actions of the Florida team. Starting with Miami’s two goals: in the 39th minute, after receiving the ball from Sergio Busquets, the “Pulga” serves his teammate Robert Taylor in the heart of the opposing defense, whose cross shot from the right deceives Zachary MacMath, the Salt Lake doorman.
In the 83rd, the Argentinian alerted Luis Suarez, his friend from the Barça years, from deep, who served Diego Gomez whose right shot allowed Miami to double the lead. On the verge of scoring at the start of the match on a 30-meter free kick, Messi multiplied the caviars for Gressel, Gomez and Suarez.
This great performance from Lionel Messi delighted his fellow coach, Tata Martino, who found him “in great shape and impressively lively”. And it calms those who thought Messi was on the road to decline at 36, he who had experienced some muscular problems since his arrival in Miami last July after leaving Paris-SG.
Remember that in the second part of the year 2023, Messi will have played 14 official matches with the club owned by David Beckham, between MLS, US Open Cup and Leagues Cup, achieving 11 goals and 5 assists, but failed to qualify his team for the Championship playoffs. His last goal with Miami dates back to August 26, 2023 against New York Red Bull (2-0).
On the night from Sunday to Monday, he will again have the opportunity to put an end to this club abstinence during the summit against the Los Angeles Galaxy.