Lionel Messi scored a stunning last-gasp free-kick winner on his Inter Miami debut and ended the Kim Kardashian 'curse' in the process.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner made his eagerly anticipated first bow for his new club in the Leagues Cup at the DRV PNK Stadium against Mexican side Cruz Azul on Friday night.
Messi started on the bench but he and long-time colleague Sergio Busquets were both introduced by manager Gerardo Tata Martino just after half-time.
He received a thunderous ovation from the fans who packed inside the ground and wrote the perfect script right at the death.
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In the 94th minute, Messi stepped up and curled in the 67th free-kick of his incredible career to end Inter's 11-game winless and immediately make his mark across the pond.
A slew of celebrities including LeBron James, Serena Williams and reality TV megastar Kardashian, 42 were all in attendance.
The trio were all in awe as Messi stepped onto the turf, with Kardashian bringing along her football-mad son Saint West for the historic game.
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Kardashian and her second-eldest child have proved to be a bit of a bad omen in recent times. They were at the Emirates to see Arsenal lose to Sporting CP on penalties in the Europa League, as well as the Parc des Princes for a Paris Saint-Germain shock 2-0 loss at the hands of Stade Rennes.
Messi featured in that game but after putting an end to the infamous Drake curse in the World Cup final in December, he closed the Kim K jinx too.
Taking to social media, one fan commented: "Only Messi can break the Kim Kardashian and Drake curse."
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A second added: "Even Kim Kardashian was amazed Messi broke her curse."
A third wrote: "Let’s not forget Lionel Messi broke the Kardashian curse on his debut with a free kick."
A fourth user said: "Not even the Kardashian curse could stop Messi."
A fifth opined: "The Kim Kardashian curse had no effect on Messi. He’s built Different."
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A sixth summarised: "Drake staked Argentina to win the WC finals, Messi broke the Drake's curse. Kim Kardashian came to watch Messi's debut, Messi broke the Kim's curse."
Messi even posed for a picture with Saint and gifted him a signed shirt afterwards.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was in tears as he watched Messi's worldie, while the former Barcelona superstar remained humble as ever afterwards.
"What I saw was the goal. I saw the goal, I knew I had to score. It was the last play of the game, and I wanted to score so we didn’t go to penalties," Messi told Apple TV.
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"It was very important for us to get this win because in the tournament it’s going to give us confidence moving forward."
Inter will now face off against Atlanta United on Wednesday, with Messi likely to make his first start.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, Argentina
Josh Lawless