Major League Soccer
MLS season got off to a successful start: Messi and Inter Miami claim their first win
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami win 2-0 against Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. photo
© Lynne Sladky/AP/dpa
No goal, but involved in both goals for Inter Miami: Lionel Messi starts his first full MLS season successfully. In addition to a native German, he has three ex-Barça professionals around him.
Messi provided the assist for Robert Taylor’s 1-0 in the 39th minute, and Diego Gomez made it 2-0 (83′) with a pass to his friend Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan is now the fourth former FC Barcelona professional to play for co-owner David Beckham’s team, alongside Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. German-born Julian Gressel, a US international since last year, has also been under contract in Miami since January.
Messi slowed by health problems
“I’m happy, the first game at home is important,” said Suárez on US television and said to the Barça quartet: “We want to enjoy life and help Inter Miami win titles this year.” Miami is the absolute top favorite for the US soccer cups for betting providers and was initially the dominant team in the first game of the season. However, especially in the second half, their strength dwindled and the team, which had only won one game in preparation, had several lucky chances to score for Real Salt Lake.
For the eight-time world footballer Messi, who was recently held back by health problems and played through this time, it will probably be the first full season for Inter Miami. Major League Soccer bases its season on the calendar year, and Messi moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Florida in the summer – halfway through the season.
He scored eleven goals in his 14 competitive games for Miami and led the team to the first title in its history with victory in the Leagues Cup. In the MLS, however, he was only used six times and only scored one goal. He was no longer able to lead Miami into the playoffs. His contract, worth around $150 million, runs until the end of the 2025 season.