Lionel Messi scores a stunning last-minute free-kick on his Inter Miami debut

In his debut match for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi came on in the second half and scored a free-kick in the 94^th minute to help his side secure a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul.

Lionel Messi celebrated an unforgettable night making his debut for Inter Miami. Surrounded by celebrities like LeBron James, Serena Williams, Tom Brady, and Kim Kardashian among others, all vying to catch him in action in the United States for the first time, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner produced the goods.

Messi scored a free-kick from 25 yards out in the 94^th minute of a tightly locked contest and secured a 2-1 win for Inter Miami against Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday night in the Leagues Cup.

The wall of four defenders set by Cruz Azul could do little to stop him as he fired his shot into the upper left corner of the net and the footage of the goal has gone already gone viral on social media, with many calling it the greatest moment in Inter Miami’s history.

Play resumed for roughly a minute before the referee’s whistle blew, and fireworks shot into the night sky.

Messi had started the game on the bench but did his fair share of waving to the crowds who all had their phone screens out trying to capture the moment. The world champion came on early in the second half, replacing midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, then trotted onto the field as the estimated crowd of 21,000 rose to their feet.

Earlier in the week, during his presentation, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham revealed that it took four years of planning and another two years of actively pursuing Messi to finally get him to come to the MLS.

“Worth it,” he had said earlier in the week and wasn’t he right about it last night?

Just after Messi scored the goal and he sprinted to the right corner of the field to celebrate the goal with his teammates, the cameras panned to Beckham, who burst into celebrations with his family in the gallery and even shed a tear or two.

It was a sold out DNV PNK Stadium with no shortage of who’s who in the gallery. Another sportstar who knows a thing or two about making a wildly celebrated move to Miami - LeBron James - hugged and shared a few words with Messi before the game before sharing pictures of their meeting on social media.

Another GOAT of her sport, Serena Williams, was also in attendance and she was seemingly left in shock after Messi scored his free-kick. Williams was joined by Kim Kardashian who arrived saying one of her sons had a particular reason why he had to attend.

“He’s so excited to see Messi,” Kardashian said.

Music legends Gloria and Emilio Estefan showed up, as did Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.