Lionel Messi debut: Inter Miami star steals the show in front of LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

LeBron James and Lionel Messi united for an unforgettable Miami Inter debut on a star-studded night capped off by Leo's worldie in the 94th minute.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Lionel Messi's debut for Inter Miami was truly unforgettable.

The football legend, a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, made a dramatic impact with a stunning free-kick goal in the 94th minute, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on a Friday night.

With his magical left foot, Messi expertly maneuvered the ball over a wall of four Cruz Azul defenders, effortlessly finding the upper left corner of the net. This moment undoubtedly goes down as the greatest highlight in Inter Miami's young history.

The stadium erupted with joy as the referee's whistle blew, and the night sky was adorned with fireworks.

Messi joined the action early in the second half, with Inter Miami already holding a 1-0 lead. Before stepping onto the field, he shared an emotional hug with the player he was replacing, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi.

The crowd of around 21,000 spectators rose to their feet, nearly all of them eager to capture this historic moment on their phones.

As he made his way to the bench, Messi encountered current Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who, like Messi, had previously made a celebrated move to Miami when he joined the Heat in 2010, winning two NBA titles during his four-year stint.

The meeting between these two sports icons added to the electrifying atmosphere.

The match turned into a gathering of sports greats as basketball legend LeBron and tennis sensation Serena Williams were in attendance, each holding their place in their respective NBA and tennis GOAT conversations.

The presence of music icons Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as well as American media personalities, including Kim Kardashian, added even more star power to the event.

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