On Saturday, 22 February, Inter Miami drew 2-2 against New York City in their first match in Major League Soccer, with Messi contributing immensely; the match was played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Hollywood actress Eva Longoria and tennis star Serena Williams were seen showing their support for Lionel Messi and Miami in the 2025 MLS season opener against New York City.
First half
Argentine footballer Tomás Avilés gave Miami the lead in the 5th minute of the first half with an assist from Messi, but in the 23rd minute the referee showed him a red card for a foul, then sent him off the field, resulting in Miami playing with 10 players against NYC’s 11.
New York City’s 20-year-old defender Mitja Ilenič then equalized in the 26th minute. The two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first half.
Second half
Alonso Martínez scored in the 55th minute of the second half to give New York City a 2-1 lead. Miami went scoreless for a long time, then Telasco Segovia scored in the last 90+10th minute of the match with a great assist from Messi, and Miami drew 2-2 with NYC.
Alonso Martínez scored in the 55th minute of the second half to give New York City a 2–1 lead. After that, Miami did not see a goal for a long time, then Telasco Segovia scored in the last 90+10 minutes of the match with a great assist from Messi. Miami eventually drew against NYC 2-2 with 10 players.
Unstoppable Messi
World Cup winner Messi, 37, is unstoppable, changing the club’s fortunes after joining Inter Miami in July 2023, winning the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield since his arrival. On February 19, in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City by 1 goal, with Messi scoring.
Lionel Messi currently has 381 official assists and is only 19 assists away from reaching 400 official assists, which would make him the first footballer in history to achieve this feat.
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