He scored another goal on his MLS debut, earning him a raucous reception.
It therefore came as no surprise when Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo were surrounded by admirers as they left their house on Sunday night to have dinner with his Inter Miami teammates at the upscale COTE Miami restaurant.
After coming off the bench to score during Inter Miami’s match against New York Red Bulls on Saturday, the 36-year-old football player was once more swarmed by fans as he exited the restaurant with his wife of six years.
After the team supper with Jordi Alba, his wife Romarey Ventura, Sergio Busquets, and his wife Elena Galera, Messi and his spouse hopped into a waiting car to head home.
Romarey chose a trendy nude one-piece with a bustier front, while Elena opted for a black satin strapless jumpsuit and nude strapped heels.
Out and about: Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo were mobbed by fans as they headed out for dinner with his Inter Miami teammates at the COTE Miami restaurant on Sunday
Living it up! The football star was joined by teammates Jordi Alba, his wife Romarey Ventura, Sergio Busquets and his spouse Elena Galera
Heading: Elena cut a stylish figure in a black satin strapless jumpsuit and nude strapped heels as she left the couples night
On one of the several billboards illuminating the center of New York City, Lionel Messi’s league debut was broadcast live.
Tata Martino chose to rest his world-famous player by starting him on the bench for Inter Miami’s matchup with New York Red Bulls, making the spectators wait.
But when the World Cup winner came off the bench in the 60th minute, he lit up one of New York’s most well-known landmarks even more.
Even though he was for the city’s adversaries, the Argentine’s amazing first goal in the 89th minute electrified New York City.
When Messi put the ball in the back of the net, the crowd of supporters, some of whom were wearing soccer shirts with and without his name on the back, erupted in applause.
Messi received assistance from two ex-Barcelona teammates to score.
Sergio Busquets utilized the side of his foot to center the ball to Lionel Messi after Jordi Alba made an impressive leap for his cross. Busquets had his back to the ground and his left leg up.
His 11th goal for Miami in nine games across all competitions was scored when he ran toward the goal and let the ball bounce off his left foot and into an open goal from three yards out.
Stellar: Messi came off the bench to score during Inter Miami’s clash against New York Red Bulls on Saturday
Watching by thousands! His league debut was streamed live on one of the many billboards lighting up the heart of New York City
Sportsman: The World Cup winner lit up one of New York’s most famous locations even more when he officially made his debut, coming off the bench in the 60th minute
Jordi Alba (pictured) made an acrobatic leap for Sergio Busquets’ cross and with his back to the ground and left leg raised, Busquets centered the ball to Messi
The match drew a record crowd of 26,276 to Red Bull Arena in the Red Bulls´ first home sellout this season, and resale tickets were listed for over $1,000
MLS and Red Bulls had announced the Times Square showing on social media, with Messi featuring on the billboard
Miami’s next game as they try to climb out of the basement of the MLS table will be against Nashville in a rematch of the US Open Cup semifinal (Busquets is pictured)
The Red Bulls’ first home sellout of the season drew a record crowd of 26,276 to Red Bull Arena, and resale tickets were priced for over $1,000 in the week preceding the game.
But those who watched the game weren’t just in Harrison, New Jersey; many who couldn’t get tickets chose to see the Messi show for nothing in the glitter and splendor of Broadway.
A billboard featuring Messi and the tagline, “A massive MLS matchup requires a massive screen,” had been placed in Times Square to promote the MLS and Red Bulls’ Times Square appearance.
Messi has been one of the main players to accrue a significant number of minutes during Miami’s surprising run through the Leagues Cup and US Open Cup game after joining the team back in July.
He has scored 11 goals in a period of nine games since making his Miami debut.
After a fantastic pass between himself and rising Miami star Benjamin Cremaschi in the 89th minute, he added to that number in the final minutes of the game against New York.
Miami will meet Nashville in a rematch of the US Open Cup semifinal played earlier this week as they attempt to move out of the bottom half of the MLS standings.