Lionel Messi Comes off the Bench to Net a Last-Minute Goal As Inter Miami Advances in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Lionel Messi had been absent for Inter Miami’s last three games, and fans were eagerly awaiting his return. Their recent CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture against Cavalier FC was special because Messi had never played in Jamaica before, and fans there were eager to see the star in action.
To accommodate more spectators, the game was moved from the team’s home stadium to the country’s national football stadium. The change proved successful, with a full crowd in attendance. Messi finally made his return in this match, coming off the bench.
Miami were already leading when Messi came on as a substitute in the 53rd minute of the game. He replaced Luis Suarez, who put Miami in the lead with a penalty in the 37th minute. Messi scored the second goal in the dying moments of the game. The win saw Miami progress to the quarter-finals.
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However, the main focus remained on Messi as fans saw him after a few matches due to workload management. Fans erupted in cheers at the stadium as he entered the pitch. The excitement was certainly palpable with fans also flocking to social media immediately afterwards.
One fan shared a video of fans jumping in joy as Messi leaves the pitch after the match.
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They added a caption to the video, saying, “Kinston loves Messi.”
Another fan wrote, “Finally a Messi goal. We have been starving for so long man.”
Another X user wrote, “Messi just gave a whole generation of Jamaicans a lifetime memory. So glad Inter Miami played him when they didn’t have to.”
Despite the home side’s spirited efforts, Miami’s experience and firepower prevailed. Cavalier had a late chance through Kaile Auvray, but the Inter Miami goalkeeper made a key save and kept the clean sheet. With this win, Miami move back to the USA to face LAFC in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
