Messi Shines in Dramatic Inter Miami Season Opener Against NYCFC
Lionel Messi kicked off the 2025 MLS season in spectacular fashion, proving once again why he remains the heartbeat of Inter Miami. In a thrilling 2-2 draw against New York City FC, Messi delivered two crucial assists, including a stunning last-minute setup that rescued his team from a home defeat.
The match at Chase Stadium was anything but straightforward. It took just five minutes for Messi to make his presence felt, orchestrating a beautiful sequence that led to 21-year-old Toto Avilés scoring the opening goal. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse for Miami. In the 26th minute, Avilés received a red card for a harsh tackle, reducing Inter Miami to 10 men for the remainder of the game. NYCFC capitalized on the advantage, equalizing through Mitja Ilenič off a cleverly executed free kick.
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The second half saw even more drama unfold. In the 55th minute, NYCFC’s Alonso Martínez punished Miami for a defensive mistake, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. With key players like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez pushing forward, Inter Miami kept knocking on the door, but finishing proved difficult. Messi, ever the magician, nearly equalized with a free kick in the 71st minute, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.
As time ticked away, it seemed like Inter Miami would start the season with a loss. But in the 100th minute—yes, the 100th—Messi found new teammate Telasco Segovia on the right side with a pinpoint pass. Segovia coolly slotted the ball into the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and securing a valuable point for Miami.
The match wasn’t just about Messi’s brilliance; it was also a test for new head coach Javier Mascherano, making his MLS debut on the sidelines. Despite being at a numerical disadvantage for most of the game, Miami showed resilience and determination, signs that this team is built to compete at the highest level.
This draw comes just days after Messi’s heroics in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in freezing conditions. Now, with another showdown against Sporting KC just three days away, Messi and Inter Miami have little time to rest.
One thing is clear: this is Messi’s team, and as long as he’s on the pitch, anything is possible.
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