Legendary footballer Lionel Messi made a stunning debut for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami after he notched up a stoppage-time winner against Liga MX's Cruz Azul 2-1 on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Messi’s free kick sailed into the top left corner from 25 yards from goal in the dying seconds of the match to send the crowd into delirium.
"I knew I had to score, it was the last play of the game and I had to score so we didn't' go to penalties," Messi said on the broadcast through a translator.
"It was very important for us to get this win because it's a new tournament and it's going to give us confidence moving forward."
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James, tennis great Serena Williams and reality television star Kim Kardashian were also in attendance to witness Messi’s debut, who entered the game as a second-half substitute.
Messi was introduced as "the world's number 10" when he came into the game in the 54th minute, slipped the captain's armband on his left arm and sent the football crowd into a frenzy whenever he touched the ball.
The seven-times Ballon d'Or winner did not take long to make his presence felt as he eluded some Cruz Azul defenders and led an attack down the right side, one of many chances he created on the night.
"As soon as I saw the free kick given I thought this is the way it's meant to end," said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. "It's so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people that have come down here to see Leo just step on the pitch, let alone just do what he's done.
"It's a dream come true for everybody in this stadium and everybody around this country to see Leo step into the MLS and perform and I don't have many words for that."