'The god of soccer' Lionel Messi announced a new era for Inter Miami.
Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Austin FC on the 4th (KST) in an MLS match at NU Stadium in Miami, U.S.
The match was a historic one as Miami finally played its first game at its long-awaited new home, NU Stadium. Some 26,700 home fans enjoyed the team's first game at the new stadium.
Just 10 minutes after kickoff, Messi heated up the atmosphere by scoring Miami's first goal in the new stadium. However, the stadium's "first goal" belonged to Austin. Early in the first half, Austin defender Guilherme Varo became the record holder by scoring the opener.
Messi soon made his presence felt. He scored the equalizer with a header, becoming the first scorer at the new stadium. The stadium erupted into an ecstatic atmosphere, with the "Messi stand" named after him buzzing.
In the closing minutes, Messi also had a dramatic chance to score the winner. His trademark left-footed free kick struck the post, leaving regret. With this match, Miami extended its unbeaten run to five MLS games (three wins, two draws). Austin, meanwhile, failed to win for the fourth straight match.
The opening of Miami's new home, NU Stadium, is a symbolic event in the club's history. Co-owner David Beckham announced plans to establish a Miami-based club in 2013 and spent more than a decade pushing for the team and stadium construction.
Beckham expressed his emotion, saying, "When I first started playing in MLS, the dream was to raise the profile of soccer in the United States along with winning and to build my own team," and "Now we are MLS champions and the greatest player in history is playing in Miami. The dream has become reality."
Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo also watched the match from the stands and shared the historic moment at the new stadium.
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