LIONEL MESSI announced his arrival in the United States in the only way he knows.
With a magical 94th-minute winner a sensational 25-yard free-kick which flew into the top corner for a suitably dramatic finish to his Inter Miami debut.
If people did not understand the Messi effect' before, then they certainly do now. His move to Major League Soccer has created huge excitement, a buzz around the whole of the sport in the USA.
And the first part of the mission is already accomplished.
Inter Miami have suddenly become the hottest ticket in town as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian were all there to witness Messi come on as a 54th-minute substitute and then celebrate a fairytale ending (right).
His every touch was cheered, his dramatic winner greeted with huge joy, disbelief, fireworks and tears of emotion among the sell-out 22,000 crowd.
Little wonder tickets had been changing hands for £1,000. This is the biggest moment for the MLS since David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007 and Messi can have an even bigger impact yet.
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