Feb 23, 2025, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
Lionel Messi's debut in the MLS with Inter Miami proved to be nothing short of a rollercoaster as his two well-timed assists helped the team secure a thrilling 2-2 draw against New York City FC. Playing a crucial role in Miami's performance, Messi lit up the match with his trademark vision and precision.
The game opened dramatically in just five minutes, when Messi, teaming up with familiar partner Jordi Alba, set up young Toto Aviles to strike the first blow against NYCFC. However, the elation was short-lived. A mere 18 minutes later, Aviles was shown a straight red card for cutting short Alonso Martinez's goal-scoring run. This left Miami to fend off NYCFC with just ten players on the field.
Capitalizing on this advantage, Mitja Ilenic netted a free kick, leveling the score. As the match progressed into the second half, NYCFC took the lead at the 55th minute when Martinez seized on an error by Alba, putting them ahead 2-1.
Despite the shaky defense, Inter Miami wasn't ready to concede defeat. Entering the fray from the bench, Telasco Segovia, on his MLS debut, received a brilliantly threaded through ball from Messi in the dying moments of the match. Demonstrating nerves of steel, the 21-year-old Venezuelan expertly chipped NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, securing the much-needed equalizer in what became captivating second-half stoppage time drama.
Messi's influence wasn't confined to his assists. He remained a constant threat, nearly scoring with a free kick in the 72nd minute and orchestrating an opportunity for Federico Redondo, which, unfortunately, veered wide. Under new tutelage with coach Javier Mascherano at the helm, Inter Miami begins their season grappling with defensive holes notably due to key injuries—the likes of Drake Callender and Hector Martinez are missing from the lineup.
While the lack of a full squad presented its challenges, the determination to battle back against adversities was evident in Miami's resilience. Messi's outstanding contributions underscore his importance to the team and mark a promising start to the season in this fresh chapter under Mascherano, despite the apparent hurdles.
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Comments
Sourav Sahoo
I swear to god, Messi didn't just play-he conducted an orchestra with his feet. That second assist? Pure poetry. The way he saw Segovia's run before anyone else even blinked... I'm still shaking. This isn't football anymore. This is art with cleats.
February 24, 2025 AT 06:40
Sourav Zaman
Messi is overrated tbh. He’s 37. The league is trash. Look at the defense. Aviles red card was dumb but also like… why even play him? Miami got lucky. Also why is everyone acting like this is the second coming? LMAO
February 24, 2025 AT 22:52
Avijeet Das
I think what’s really interesting here is how Mascherano’s system is evolving. Messi isn’t just a player anymore-he’s a positional catalyst. The way he drops deep to pull defenders out, then threads the ball behind… it’s like watching chess played at 100mph. And Segovia’s composure on that finish? That’s the future right there.
February 25, 2025 AT 22:45
Sachin Kumar
The defensive structure remains fundamentally unsound. The lack of a true central defensive anchor, compounded by the absence of Callender and Martinez, renders the backline vulnerable to counter-attacks. Messi’s brilliance cannot compensate for systemic deficiencies.
February 25, 2025 AT 22:50
Ramya Dutta
So let me get this straight. We’re celebrating a draw because Messi did two things right? Meanwhile, the whole team looked like they were sleepwalking until the 89th minute. And the red card? Yeah, that was dumb. But also… why is this even a headline?
February 26, 2025 AT 20:59
Ravindra Kumar
MESSI DIDN’T SCORE. MESSI DIDN’T SCORE. MESSI DIDN’T SCORE. And yet the entire planet is acting like he just won the World Cup alone. I’m not mad… I’m just disappointed. This isn’t legacy-building. This is a glorified friendly with extra drama and a red card.
February 27, 2025 AT 10:25
arshdip kaur
There’s a quiet tragedy in watching a god play in a league that doesn’t know how to worship him. He moves like a ghost through traffic, and the crowd cheers like it’s a Tuesday night at the mall. The beauty is there. The reverence? Not so much.
February 27, 2025 AT 19:43
khaja mohideen
This is why we love the game. Ten men. Down a goal. And still they fight. Messi didn’t need to score. He just needed to remind everyone why he’s the best. That’s leadership. That’s legacy. No stats needed.
February 28, 2025 AT 06:10
Diganta Dutta
Messi = GOAT 🐐 Red card = 😭 Segovia = 🤯 NYCFC = 🤡 MLS = 🏆 I’m crying. I’m screaming. I’m buying a Messi jersey. I’m moving to Miami. I’m changing my name to Telasco Segovia. I’m adopting a cat named Jordi Alba.
March 1, 2025 AT 01:09
Meenal Bansal
I don’t care if they’re down to ten. I don’t care if it’s a draw. That last goal? That’s the kind of moment that changes lives. That kid Segovia? He’s gonna be a star. And Messi? He’s just… existing on another plane. I’m so proud of this team. I’m so proud.
March 1, 2025 AT 08:42
Akash Vijay Kumar
I just… I just want to say… thank you… to everyone involved… for this… this beautiful, chaotic, emotional, heart-pounding… moment… in football… history… I’m… I’m not okay…
March 2, 2025 AT 06:38
Dipak Prajapati
Let’s be real. This is a circus. Messi is the only reason anyone’s watching. The rest of the team is barely functional. That red card was a disaster. That defense is a sieve. And now we’re supposed to be thrilled because a 21-year-old scored a chip? This league is a joke. And you’re all just drinking the Kool-Aid.
March 2, 2025 AT 10:31
Mohd Imtiyaz
Segovia’s finish was textbook. Timing, placement, composure. That’s not luck. That’s training. Messi didn’t just make the pass-he created the space for it. Look at how he dragged two defenders with his movement before the ball even left his foot. That’s elite intelligence.
March 3, 2025 AT 05:54
arti patel
I’m just happy they didn’t lose. That’s all. I don’t need fireworks. I just want to see them keep showing up. That’s more than enough for me.
March 3, 2025 AT 06:14
Nikhil Kumar
This is what happens when you put genius in a system that’s still learning how to hold it. The defense is messy, sure. But the spirit? Unbreakable. And Messi? He doesn’t just play for the team-he plays for the idea of it. That’s why he’ll never leave.
March 4, 2025 AT 05:05
Priya Classy
I watched this match alone. I cried. Not because of the goal. But because I remembered what it felt like to believe in something. I haven’t felt that since… well. Since before. Thank you, Messi.
March 4, 2025 AT 17:38
Amit Varshney
The tactical discipline exhibited by Inter Miami under adverse conditions is commendable. The substitution of Segovia and the subsequent execution of the equalizing goal reflect a high degree of situational awareness and coaching efficacy.
March 5, 2025 AT 01:48
One Love
MESSI IS LOVE 💖⚽ SEGOVIA IS THE FUTURE 🌟 MIA IS HOME 🏡 I’M SO HAPPY I CAN’T EVEN 🥹 #MessiMagic #MiamiRising
March 5, 2025 AT 21:05
Vaishali Bhatnagar
I didn’t know what to expect but wow. That last goal. I just sat there. Didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Just… watched. I think I fell in love with football again tonight
March 6, 2025 AT 09:55
Abhimanyu Prabhavalkar
Funny how people act like Messi’s assists are some kind of miracle. He’s 37. He’s not even trying. He’s just… existing. The rest of the team is still figuring out how to keep up.
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.