Lionel Messi Shines, But Inter Miami Falls 1-3

Lionel Messi once again proved his brilliance on the field, scoring a stunning goal in the 63rd minute, but it wasn’t enough to save Inter Miami from a 1-3 defeat against Atlanta United in the 17th round of the MLS.

This match marks one of Messi’s last appearances before joining Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the upcoming Copa América.

Messi’s Moment of Brilliance

Messi, who played the full ninety minutes at Chase Stadium, brought hope to his team with a left-footed, low-crossed shot that beat the opposing goalkeeper. This goal, his 11th of the MLS season, was reminiscent of his World Cup strike against Mexico. Captured from behind the goal, the footage of his strike quickly went viral, with fans drawing parallels to his memorable World Cup performance.

“Out of nowhere, Messi recreated his goal against Mexico,” tweeted one fan, capturing the sentiment of many.

Viral Celebration

However, it wasn’t just the goal that caught the public’s eye. Messi’s celebration, where he mimicked revving a motorcycle, sparked widespread speculation.

While some fans thought it was a playful gesture towards his children, others believed it was a nod to the upcoming “Bad Boys” movie, in which Messi has had notable interactions.

Hollywood Connection

Messi’s ties with Hollywood seem to be growing during his time in North America. Recently, he appeared in a promotional video for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” amusingly interacting with stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. His first spoken words in English in the video caused a stir online, with fans expressing their disbelief and excitement.

“Messi officially said something in English for the first time, and only Will Smith made it possible,” tweeted a fan, echoing the sentiment of many others who were thrilled by the clip.

The Game’s Outcome

Despite Messi’s efforts, Atlanta United dominated most of the match, sealing a decisive 3-1 victory.

Messi’s statistics for the game included four shots on target, two successful strikes, one key assist, and an 82% pass accuracy, underscoring his relentless drive and influence on the pitch.

Fellow Argentine, Thiago Almada, also shone, leading Atlanta United’s attack and playing a crucial role in their goals. Despite the loss, Inter Miami retained the top spot in the Eastern Conference, thanks to Cincinnati’s home defeat to Nashville (0-2).

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