Lionel Messi on Inter Miami’s historic Leagues Cup: “I couldn’t wait”

This time last year, Major League Soccer forever changed.

 

Lionel Messi debuted for Inter Miami CF and the club soared to the Leagues Cup 2023 title, crafting a story Hollywood script-writers could only marvel at.

 

The month-long journey is chronicled in “La Primera,” Inter Miami’s new behind-the-scenes documentary featuring exclusive interviews and footage.

Naturally, the documentary begins with Messi’s sensational entrance vs. Cruz Azul. The GOAT subbed on in the second half, reuniting with Sergio Busquets from their FC Barcelona glory days.

 

“I couldn’t wait to make my debut,” said Messi, who, after leaving French side Paris Saint-Germain, thwarted a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League to join Miami.

I’d already been in Miami for a few days training with my new club and teammates. I wanted to play and be back out there with Busquets after a few years apart, so that was brilliant and I just wanted to get started.”

 

Added Busquets: “Although we went two years without playing, we’d played together for much longer than those two years and I think that prevailed. You could see from that first moment how much we’d missed each other after two years apart. It was like a beautiful story that came back together.”

Then, of course, there was Messi’s free kick. With his brilliant left foot, the Argentine legend curled home a stoppage-time winner seen around the world.

 

“When the referee blew for a free kick, you could already imagine what would happen if Leo was taking it,” said head coach Tata Martino.

That was, in one word, ‘wow,’” said majority owner Jorge Mas.