Inter Miami Honors Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or In Celebration Night, Faces Defeat Against NYCFC

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami marked Friday night with a celebration. The MLS team paid tribute to the Argentine soccer icon and their captain at DRV PNK Stadium, hosting a friendly match accompanied by a pregame ceremony where Messi showcased his eighth Ballon d’Or.

Securing the award two weeks ago, Messi outshone competitors Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, with his standout performance in the 2022 World Cup playing a pivotal role in earning him the prestigious accolade.

For the kickoff of Inter Miami’s “Noche d’Or,” Messi emerged onto the midfield carrying the trophy after a speech from club owner Jorge Mas. Addressing fans in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Messi expressed gratitude to the club and supporters, expressing confidence that the upcoming year will surpass 2023.

Despite a promising start, Inter Miami’s on-field performance cast a shadow over what should have been one of Messi’s most memorable nights. Missing a couple of scoring opportunities in the first half, Messi’s team conceded the first goal to New York in the 43rd minute. In the second half, NYCFC, led by fellow Argentinian Julian Fernandez, swiftly expanded their lead.

Although Robbie Robinson scored a goal as a second-half substitute, it proved insufficient to avoid defeat. Inter Miami is now set for vacation with no remaining matches this year. Messi, on the other hand, will head directly to Ezeiza to commence training with the Argentina national team, gearing up for the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil.