- Argentine icon netted dramatic equaliser
- Faced plenty of tests prior to that strike
- Rivals not afraid to stand up to all-time great
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine superstar did not have things all his own way in California, as A-list guests watched on from the stands, and only made a telling contribution to proceedings in the 92nd minute when grabbing a dramatic equaliser in a 1-1 draw with domestic rivals that had been reduced to 10 men.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Tempers threatened to boil over throughout a keenly-fought contest, with Messi locking horns with former USMNT U23 international Cerrillo in the first half. That debate started between the Galaxy midfielder and veteran frontman Luis Suarez, but Messi soon got involved as words and frosty looks were exchanged.
WHAT CERRILLO SAID ABOUT MESSI
Cerrillo has told TyC Sports of not backing down from a tussle with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi: “First I was surprised that he was talking to me, so I didn’t understand the first thing he said to me, nor did it register with me. He was serious and at that moment I knew I needed to stay calm, because it was early in the game. He knows what he’s doing and maybe he wanted to get into my head. And like with anyone, I wasn’t going to stay silent. And when Suarez and [Sergio] Busquets came to defend him… well, it’s nice, but it’s part of football and at that moment was when I had to be calm. What was said will remain with me, it is something that I will always have in my mind and I will keep that.”
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
Messi is now up and running on the goal front for 2024, as Inter Miami look to compete for major honours on multiple fronts, and there is the promise of more to come from the all-time great as he continues to shake off the rust that set in during a testing pre-season.
