Messi made his debut for Inter Miami with a last-minute goal

Lionel Messi played his first game for his new club Inter Miami and brought the victory against the Mexican Cruz Azul. The Argentine superstar scored from a direct free kick in extra time awarded by the referee for the 2-1 victory. Messi's shot was absolutely unsaveable and the crowd went into raptures after the ball landed in the net.

As expected, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ace did not make the starting line-up. Head coach Gerardo Martino brought him on shortly after the start of the second half, along with Sergio Busquets, and celebrities such as David Beckham, LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian cheered the two stars' appearance from the stands.

Messi was handed the captain's armband by DeAndre Yedlin, known in Europe from his spells at Newcastle and Galatasaray. At that moment, Inter Miami were leading 1-0 after a goal by Finnish Robert Taylor in the 44th minute, but midway through the second half the visitors managed to equalize through Uriel Antuna.

The match was headed for a draw, although both teams did not stop attacking in pursuit of the three points. Seconds into stoppage time, Messi was fouled around the edge of the penalty area before curling the ball perfectly over the wall to leave Mexican keeper Andres Gudinho no chance. With the victory, Inter Miami topped the standings in Group 10 of the League Cup tournament. The next game for Messi and company is against Atlanta United on July 26.

"It was important to start well and make the fans happy. I had one last chance to score a goal and it worked. I dedicate this victory to my teammate Ian Frey, who was injured. He has already gone through two serious injuries and today he was unlucky again," said Messi after the match.