Lionel Messi responds to backlash after sitting out of a game in Hong Kong
Lionel Messi has responded to a backlash from Chinese fans and media after his non-appearance at a February 4 Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi juked and faked two defenders into another direction, and nearly had the punctuation point on Inter Miami’s season-opening win.
Messi’s shot was deflected by the goalie and he turned his body toward fans in the stands, bothered he was unable to find the back of the net during his MLS season debut.
It didn’t matter. He got his work done early in the first half. He hugged Will Smith on his way to the locker room at halftime. And he maintained Inter Miami’s pace as they waited painstakingly for the game-deciding goal in the second half.
Messi assisted Inter Miami’s first goal of the night by Robert Taylor in the 39th minute, and orchestrated the second goal by Diego Gomez in the 83rd minute in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake in the 2024 MLS season opener at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night.
Messi’s second season in MLS is officially underway, and the world’s best player looks to be in prime form.
He’s running hard, dribbling between defenders. He even had an instance where he dribbled over an injured player, RSL’s Andrew Brody, laying on the pitch before another defender deflected his shot attempt.
Watch: This Lionel Messi dribble over an injured player went viral on TikTok
“It’s awesome, right? Just playing him and seeing him on the field, and going against him is definitely something cool,” Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna said of Messi. “But when you’re out there, he’s just another player and you’re trying to defend him the best you can and play him the best you can.”
Messi shots on target
Messi had three shots on target in the match, while his longtime Barcelona running-mate Luis Suarez had two of his own. They were unable to score.
But both had timely passes to set up Gomez’s goal, which put the match out of reach for Inter Miami.
Messi dribbled the ball from center spot to the penalty arc, where he gave it up to Suarez, who delivered the assist. And Gomez, who had five goals in seven appearances at the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament last month, delivered.
“There are many things to improve, now we have to enjoy the victory,” said Gomez, who dedicated the goal to his mother, who was in attendance.
Messi’s first attempt was also comical, a free kick after a yellow card where defenders loaded the box and one RSL player stood directly in his path, in the corner of the net he loves to squeeze the ball into in such scenarios. It was a glimpse of how teams will defend Messi in those goal-scoring opportunities.
Still, Messi made a considered effort to get others involved, including Taylor, who benefited in the first half with a goal.
“Whenever Leo gets the ball, I’ll try to make runs for him and create space. This time, he decided to play me through, which is nice, also,” Taylor said.
As for Suarez, it appeared he was laboring at times around midfield when Inter Miami was on defense. But when possession changed and Messi was charging upfield, Suarez was still able to keep pace as best he could.
Inter Miami has hopes to win Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup this season.
For now, they’ll celebrate the first win of their season.
Inter Miami’s second match is on the road against L.A. Galaxy on Sunday.
“I’m so happy because it’s the first game winning at home,” Suarez told Apple TV after the match in his debut with Inter Miami alongside old friends Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba from their Barcelona days.
“We’re friends inside the pitch and outside the pitch. We try to help the team, and want to help Inter Miami win something this year.”
LOOK: Must-see images from Lionel Messi’s 2024 MLS season debut
Lionel Messi set up the sequence. Luis Suarez delivered the assist. And Diego Gomez ended the…
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