- Lionel Messi chipped the ball over an injured defender before getting a shot off
- Fans were quick to praise the Inter Miami star’s quick thinking and deft touch
Lionel Messi left Inter Miami fans speechless with a remarkable piece of s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 during their MLS opener on Wednesday night.
The Argentine started alongside former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez for the first time in MLS at Chase Stadium and they dominated the first half against Real Salt Lake.
Robert Taylor scored the opening goal of the season for Gerardo Martino’s team off a Messi assist – thanks to some awful goalkeeping from Zac MacMath in the Salt Lake goal.
Moments later, Messi threatened a second goal for David Beckham‘s franchise after some ridiculous s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 that presented a chance in front of goal.
Messi cut inside onto his preferred left foot but his path to goal was blocked by a Salt Lake defender, who was lying down on the ground injured.
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Lionel Messi left Inter Miami fans speechless with a remarkable piece of s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 on Wednesday
The blockage would prove no problem for Messi though as he remarkably hit the ball into the ground before it bounced up and over the defender on the ground.
Messi then tried to get his shot away but it was blocked as Salt Lake avoided conceding another goal.
The piece of play left fans stunned by Messi’s creativity and they flocked to social media to praise the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.
‘Oh my days Messi chipping the ball over the injured player on the ground during open play and getting a shot off was insanity’, wrote one fan.
‘Messi just lifted the ball over a player who was on the ground while dribbling at full speed, this was an absolutely ridiculous touch. Kind of hard to describe but when you see it it’s incredible,’ added another.
‘Messi’s dribbling over hurt players like they’re practice cones,’ commented another.
Fans were quick to go to social media to rave about Messi’s quick thinking and deft touch
Messi put in a man-of-the-match display, producing some outrageous footwork, seeing a free-kick cleared off the line and hitting the bar directly from a corner before setting up Robert Taylor’s opener.
The 36-year-old received a half-time hug from Will Smith – one of the stars in attendance at upgraded Chase Stadium – and continued to play with an irresistible swagger.
While Miami lost their way as a team after their dominant first half, they dug deep and eventually 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed off vastly improved RSL.
Messi showed brilliant strength, speed and close control to drive forward through the middle before playing in Luis Suarez, who set up Diego Gomez to score in the 83rd minute.
That moment gave Miami new life and the former Liverpool striker saw a debut goal brilliantly denied by Zac MacMath, who was guilty of allowing Taylor’s first-half strike to squirm past him.
Salt Lake’s goalkeeper also thwarted Messi at the end of an incredible run down the right as the hosts ended a challenging second half on a high.
In truth, the only person able to keep up with the Argentina skipper on Wednesday was his personal bodyguard, who went up and down the touchline tracking the star throughout the game.
