Messi’s brilliance shines again in Inter Miami win at NYCFC

NEW YORK – Nearly three years after Lionel Messi moved to the United States, Inter Miami completed the rapid transition from a struggling MLS newcomer to the region’s most prominent team, but as they entered Sunday’s match against New York City FC, they expected a new variety but guaranteed to be the team with the target on their back. They were four days removed from a surprise Concacaf Champions Cup elimination by Nashville SC in the round of 16, keeping them out of the next title they were aiming for as they assumed regional dominance, the next question was inevitable: With that season-defining aspiration gone and a full schedule of matches ahead, how would Miami respond?

It wouldn’t take them long to find an answer.

As hordes of people filled the New York subways, most dressed in the light blue of NYCFC but more in the pink of Miami and the blue and white stripes of Argentina, the team news arrived. Messi was going to start despite his midweek appearance, the crowd was ready to get their money’s worth. It was also a statement of intent from head coach Javier Mascherano: the best way to correct things was to get back on track.

“I’m trying to send the message that this is football,” Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said after the game. “It’s a game. Obviously it’s important for us. We have to be competitive. We have to win games and when we can’t progress in a competition we wanted [to] progress [in]it is difficult. We must live in the moment and try to show personality [that is needed]for me, in this kind of club… The only way to keep my job is to win matches but to win matches you have to fight.”

The assault was rapid, although complicated. Gonzalo Lujan scored from a corner three minutes later, with Miami taking three possessions before the defender’s powerful strike from inside the box opened the scoring. Nicolas Fernandez’s free kick to level the score 15 minutes later, while impressive, was not enough to disrupt their momentum. Miami had 15 shots at halftime, their best total before the break in MLS this season, some opportunities better than others as they climbed to 0.99 expected goals before heading into the locker room at halftime. Unsurprisingly, one player stood out from the crowd: Messi, who had six shots and 0.33 expected goals alone, even though he had yet to score.

In a second 90-minute match in four days, it is still unclear which version of Messi will show up. It’s hard to blame him for a bad day since a player’s fitness level can only be as high when he’s three months away from his 39th birthday. In a more reserved second half in Miami, Messi reminded spectators that he was an eternal cheat code. NYCFC may have scored a goal in the 59th minute, expertly completed by Agustin Ojeda, but it didn’t matter two minutes later when the hosts gave up a free kick. The ball may have been about 30 yards from goal, but for Messi the distance didn’t matter: the ball may have bounced on the way in but it still found the back of the net, NYCFC’s wall penetrated easily and goalkeeper Matt Freese’s efforts were ultimately in vain. This paved the way for Micael’s winning goal thanks to an impressive header from Micael in the 74th minute.

Even in this latest chapter of Messi’s career, we still have to wait for the fashion train to derail, because his genius wasn’t reserved for dead-ball moments. He may be the first player down the tunnel at the end of each half, but he always sets up active teams for Miami, with Sunday’s game included with 64 touches and 42 passes attempted. He’s as busy as possible, sometimes managing quick sprints even in the latter stages of the second half. The World Cup winner always refuses to take second place; the hype is still justified amid a sea of ​​players in their prime.

These days, Messi’s madness comes with undertones of boredom as familiarity sets in. This is not the first time around 40,000 people have packed Yankee Stadium to see the Argentina international and it will be far from the last as Messi continues his tour of North America, with a welcoming crowd greeting him much to the chagrin of the hosts.

“It was great,” NYCFC defender Kevin O’Toole said of the pro-Miami atmosphere, almost jokingly. “It would be nice to have this every week. Hopefully we can find someone on the other team with a Messi jersey every time so we can get 45,000.”

Even if the phenomenon seems misguided in other parts of the world, Messi continues to reward the masses who hope to catch a glimpse of a generational talent whose profile transcends the popularity of the sport. As dominant as NYCFC were heading into the match, they looked unsteady on their own particularly narrow pitch when Miami took the field alongside them, although it’s hard to say the visitors were the reason for their lack of confidence.

“The start of the match was a little nervous on our part,” noted NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen. “I don’t know why because it’s not something that happens often in our games.”

With just months to go before what is likely to be his last World Cup, where he is unlikely to be the main character as a generation of young players fight for the glory he will leave behind, he is certain to be one of the main attractions. Its best days may be behind it, but it still offers far too much to be put aside – even if no one tries to. There is simply no accounting for Messi, whether in Miami or Argentina colours, with the player’s inherent quality being able to slip through on his worst days but unmistakable on other days.

“The details will make the difference and unfortunately,” Jansen said, “today is a good reflection of that as well.”