Messi's magic in America

Like so many other goals in his illustrious career, Messi's first goal in the MLS on August 27 will be much remembered. It was not a masterpiece of a free kick into the high corner, not a solo move through the entire opponent's defense, or a strong left foot cut from outside the box.

Messi just did what he usually does on the field: making seemingly difficult things look easy. This is the quality that makes the 1.7 m tall player special.

The Athletic commented: "Players like Diego Maradona, Pele or Cristiano Ronaldo all share a level of greatness that makes them one of the best players of all time. But no other player in history football - perhaps apart from Zinedine Zidane - makes football as simple as Messi".

And coach Gerardo Martino said after Messi contributed a double assist to help Inter Miami defeat Cincinnati in the US National Cup semi-finals on August 23: "Messi normalizes situations that are very difficult to do, and now they We consider those to be very normal football plays."

Over the weekend, the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey was the stage for another shining moment of Messi. On his MLS introduction day, the 36-year-old star was a substitute and then entered the field in the 60th minute, when Inter Miami was leading 1-0. Messi, teammate and close friend Sergio Busquets this match were given a break by Martino after playing eight consecutive matches in just one month at the club.

Messi stayed in the locker room and did not warm up with the main squad before the match. He calmly walked out and sat next to Busquets on Inter Miami's bench before kickoff. In the second half, the record-breaking crowd at Red Bull Arena chanted "We want Messi", the owner of seven Golden Balls came out to the warm-up area, sprinting lightly with the remaining reserve players. . Not long after, he entered the field and was warmly welcomed.

The crowd wearing pink Inter Miami and Argentina jerseys applauded every time Messi touched the ball in the final half hour of the game. They happily did it even with his simple one-step tackles.

When Inter Miami's rookie superstar stepped toward the touchline for a throw-in, the crowd on the other side of the pitch greeted him with cheers and the sound of cellphone cameras. Messi kept the ball overhead and looked over the field, then let his teammates throw in. On Instagram, Argentina's online sports magazine - El Gráfico - joked: "We seem to have just witnessed the greatest throw-in of all time."

This exaggeration is not new as Messi is the subject of any type of analysis. He has fascinated fans and pundits for over 20 years. But that did not stop the praise, when Messi created another moment of admiration, in the 89th minute.

After Messi scored into the empty net, Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman exclaimed: "This is one of the most absurd passes I have ever seen. Messi performed at his best in the Leagues Cup, and for 35 minutes tonight , he brought New York City one of the most beautiful goals you will ever see."

Is Messi's inch-perfect pass into an empty net one of the best goals of all time? This will be a never-ending debate based on subjectivity, like choosing between Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to see who is GOAT - short for "Greatest Of All Time", a term referring to the Best Player all time.

In this case, Messi made a similar incredible pass nine months ago at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals between Argentina and the Netherlands. The Argentina captain's no-look pass penetrated the six-man Dutch defense to allow Nahuel Molina to escape to open the score. How does Messi see Molina? Did Messi see his teammates, or was it just a risky pass?

"I see Molina," Messi told TV Pública Argentina in June. "I actually saw Molina move and understood that in that situation, the ball usually goes out. I don't remember who was in front of me, but I did. I thought I had a chance to put the ball in Molina's position because the whole Dutch defense was expecting something else."

Coach Lionel Scaloni also just talked about that moment at an event in Miami. "That is a pass that only Messi can do," the Argentina coach emphasized. "Messi knows Molina is there, and Molina knows he has to keep moving to wait for the ball."

Nor did anyone expect what Messi did in the New York Red Bulls penalty area, or at least the home defenders. The Argentine star seems to have the ability to imagine the ball in his head, but this is not an ability only Messi has. Many top stars in other sports also have the ability to predict and see what others don't. But Messi is undoubtedly one of the best in this regard ever, with his vision and vision - as analyst Twellman puts it - "very absurd".

Against the New York Red Bulls last weekend, everything started with a slightly strong flick from Busquets, forcing Jordi Alba to try to save the ball with a pass to direct the ball to Messi. Like his time at Barca, most of the passes from Alba to Messi, the ball seemed to have a magnetic attraction to the Argentina star's left shoe. "Alba always shoots back towards Messi, as if they have practiced it all their lives. It's special to see that," Inter Miami midfielder Kamal Miller said after the match.

Knowing New York Red Bulls midfielder Peter Stroud approached, Messi immediately turned the ball to open the space in the penalty area. The Inter Miami captain knew he didn't have the momentum to dribble against four New York Red Bulls players, and pushed the ball lightly to lure them forward.

Stroud and New York Red Bulls midfielder Andres Reyes both fell into Messi's trap, putting their feet forward to close in on the opponent. At that time, defensive midfielder Daniel Edelman also stepped back to follow Inter Miami striker Robbie Robinson - who was calling the ball outside the penalty area. Reyes' teammate, Sean Nealis, was also nearby, ready to scramble if the ball was passed to Robinson or Inter Miami right-back DeAndre Yedlin.

But again, Messi has other plans. Inter Miami's 18-year-old midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi raised his hand twice while Messi was surrounded in the penalty area.

New York Red Bulls left-back John Tolkin forgot Cremaschi behind. In a certain moment, Messi saw Cremaschi and came up with a unique way to score his 11th goal in nine games for Inter Miami.

Instead of passing with his right foot, Messi flicked the outside of his left foot towards the space in front of Cremaschi. Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric regularly performs such skillful passes with his right foot.

After that, Messi rushed into the penalty area when the entire New York Red Bulls defense was still stunned by the opponent's pass. Remember, Messi has a plan. This may be the situation that took place during Inter Miami's training session, when Cremaschi was not surprised, immediately accelerated to catch the ball and then stretched with one touch for the senior to cushion the ball into the empty net.

Inter Miami midfielder Miller rolled his eyes at what he had just witnessed from the defence. "I was at the back. I remember just watching Messi instead of focusing on the game. It's hard to concentrate when there's such a great presence in front of you. It's great for MLS and North American soccer ".

Messi can make opposing defenders look silly, as he did at the World Cup, La Liga and all over Europe. He did the same thing with the New York Red Bulls defense, which played firmly and disciplined from the moment Messi entered the field. Before the match against Inter Miami, they only allowed the opponent to finish 62 times in 24 matches - the best statistic in MLS this season.

"But Messi only needed a moment to make a difference. Once again, his plan worked out perfectly," The Athletic commented.