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Lionel Messi continues to showcase his magic playing for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer. The Argentine recorded a couple of delightful assists the other day against New York City, in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. Having been embroiled in a GOAT rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo for the longest period, the influence of each other on the sporting world does not leave each other despite them playing at different corners of the world.
During the MLS game on Sunday, New York City defender Mitja Ilenic scored a goal in the 26th minute of the match and performed the iconic "Siuuu" celebration of Cristiano Ronaldo. The goal brought New York on level terms at 1-1 that time. Not only did Ilenic pull off the stunt, but he also expressed his happiness after being able to do it in front of Messi.
"About the celebration, I'm a big fan of Cristiano, to be honest," he said after the game. "That was basically my dream: to do it in front of (Lionel) Messi. I would say it also shows my confidence and I'm super, super happy about it, that it happened today." The match ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw but it was this moment that stole the spotlight.
Cameras were quick to catch the reaction of Lionel Messi when Ilenic pulled off the famous celebration of Ronaldo.
Inter Miami trailed almost the entirety of the second half. New York's Alonso Martinez scored an easy goal past Oscar Ustari after Jordi Alba made a defensive howler. The goal put New York up 2-1 at the 55th minute. However, Messi managed to bring his team back in the last moment as Segovia scored a goal in the dyeing seconds of the added time.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, however, was all praise for his talisman.
“He’s like a kid playing, and he doesn’t want to lose,” said Mascherano.
“We need to keep him with this spirit,” he said, “because it’s not just what he does on the pitch, it’s what he translates to his teammates and all that he does with his 37 years.”
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