Lionel Messi ties game with incredible free kick against FC Dallas in Leagues Cup
With Inter Miami FC trailing FC Dallas in the round of 16 of the MLS Leagues Cup on Sunday, Lionel Messi didn’t flinch. Set up for the potential tying goal on a free kick, Messi delivered a kick that sailed over the head of the goalkeeper and straight into the net.
The kick brought the game to a 4-4 tie as the star player is already making a major impact just weeks after his debut with the team. You can view the moment below.
The goal was the second of the game for Messi, who also scored Miami’s first goal on a cutback pass from Jordi Alba. His free kick helped Miami overcome a a two-goal deficit after trailing for most of the evening and sent the game to penalty kicks.
Messi also went on to net his spot kick as Miami came back to win thanks to his late-game heroics.
Messi has now scored in all four of the matches since joining Miami. He had consecutive multigoal games coming into the Leagues Cup round of 16 match in Frisco.
With Sunday night’s victory, Miami moves on to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup. There it will face the winner between Monday night’s match between Charlotte FC and the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 12.
Lionel Messi set to make more per year in MLS than any NFL player
According to a report from Alex Silverman of Sports Business Journal, Messi received a compensation package from Inter Miami worth $50-60 million per year. The package includes signing bonus, salary, and equity in the club.
Based on the reported figure, Messi will earn more annually than any player in any of the main professional sports leagues in the U.S. A hefty salary, yes, for perhaps the greatest soccer player of all-time, but still well short of what he could have earned if he would have signed on to play in Saudi Arabia. Per 90 Min, Messi could’ve brought in a salary worth $440m (£344m) had he decided to join 18-time Saudi Pro League winners Al-Hilal this summer.
Along with Al-Hilal, Messi notably turned down a return to Barcelona, the club which he led to four UEFA Champions League and 10 La Liga titles.
“I have made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still don’t have it agreed upon 100 percent and a few things are needed, but, well, we decided to continue my path there,” Messi said. “After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day-to-day more. Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a calmer way.”
On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.