○This gesture made words unnecessary and distracted fans. Lionel Messi scored his first two goals of the year in the MLS regular season, but it was after scoring Inter Miami’s fourth goal in a dramatic comeback against Orlando City (2-4) that the 38-year-old captain got people talking with his celebration.
After taking a perfect free-kick, the number 10 made a bold gesture towards the opposition bench, pretending to sign autographs for coach Oscar Pareja and others. And USMNT legend Alexi Lalas wasn’t quiet either.
Lalas reacts to Leo’s gesture
Messi led Javier Mascherano’s side to their first win against rivals Orlando City, a team they had never won away from.
Inter&Co Stadium (formerly Exploria Stadium) celebrated goals from Marko Pašalić and Marton Ojeda in the 18th and 24th minutes of the first half. However, Lionel, Matteo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia shined in the second half and sealed the match.
Of course, Messi’s free-kick goal in the 90th minute, which found the back of Maxime Croupeau’s fourth net, grabbed everyone’s attention, but not because of the goal itself, but because of Leo’s celebration.
After pretending to sign an autograph to his opponent, social media was flooded with reactions to the Argentine’s gesture, and Alexi Lalas was not left out of the discussion either.
The former soccer player reposted a video celebrating his “10” on his official X account, writing: “Messi…a stone-cold murderer.”
“Orlando brings out the inner Zlatan in Messi”, “Stone cold killer goat” and “Ice cold” were some of the reactions Alexi received.
Messi scored two goals, extending his scoring streak to 22 years uninterrupted since his professional debut in 2005, making him one of the few players in soccer history to achieve this feat. He also reached 898 goals in his professional career, two goals away from reaching 900.
Javier Mascherano’s team thus achieved their first victory after losing in their debut match against LAFC (3-0).
Leo and Inter Miami’s next challenge will be away to DC United on Saturday, March 7th at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
