LIONEL MESSI has been branded a “savage” after chipping the ball over an injured opponent before having a shot on goal.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner captained Inter Miami to an opening victory in the MLS on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi produced a ‘disrespectful’ piece of skill against Real Salt Lake[/caption]Messi picked up an assist as his side beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 with goals from Robert Taylor and Diego Gomez.
However, it was a separate moment during the match which caught the attention of fans.
Whilst completing a mazy dribble on the edge of the Salt Lake penalty area, Messi dinked the ball over a stricken opponent.
With the player rolling around in agony on the floor, he skipped past a challenge whilst lifting the ball over them.
Messi then weaved between the two players to get on the end of his skill.
He was even able to get off a shot, but it was blocked by the Salt Lake defence.
Reacting to the skill on social media, one fan wrote: “Messi is a menace for this one.”
Another added: “He’s just taking the p**s now.”
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Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt Lake
By Jack Rosser in Miami
DAVID BECKHAM’S biggest season yet at Inter Miami got off to a fine start as Lionel Messi inspired their win over Real Salt Lake.
Beckham flew into Florida for the curtain raiser of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, watching his star-studded side alongside Hollywood icon Will Smith among other celebrities.
The former England captain needed a performance to live up to the glitz and hype ahead of the game. Fireworks shot above the Chase Stadium as Beckham introduced new signing Luis Suarez ahead of kick-off.
While Messi did not score the opening goal, he was still putting on a show, playing with swagger and a smile.
Having hit the bar trying to score directly from a corner, the World Cup winner setup Robert Taylor to grab the first after 39 minutes with a fine through ball.
Then the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner really started showing off.
Messi drove towards goal but found the injured Andrew Brody sprawled out in his path. Whereas for anyone else the move would end there, the Argentine showed supreme touch to lift the ball over Brody, tip-toe around him and get a shot off.
There was a sign of the new Stateside circus around Messi, who was stalked from the touchline by his own personal bodyguard, as he shared a hug with Smith in the pitchside hospitality seats as he headed down the tunnel.
Miami, who won their maiden trophy following Messi’s arrival last season, are looking to claim the MLS Cup – effectively the league title – for the first time in the club’s history.
With their capture of Messi followed by the arrival of former Barcelona teammates Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Beckham’s boys are clear favourites with the bookies to storm MLS this season.
There were a few mistakes from the hosts dotted throughout the second half which went unpunished to prove that stardust alone won’t get them across the line.
But on occasion it does. After a second half on the back foot, a tired looking Messi and Suarez burst back into life to combine and set up Diego Gomez to score a stunning second with a scintillating break from the halfway line.
Seconds later Suarez was denied his first goal for the club when Zac MacMath made a stunning near post save from the Uruguayan’s close range strike which came at the end of another Messi break.
The Argentine then almost got his own name on the scoresheet with a seamless run from the right, before seeing his effort stopped.
At full time the fireworks went up again into the South Florida sky and Beckham will be praying they can continue all season long.
A third fan also commented: “Just seen the most disrespectful football clip out.”
Meanwhile, one more exclaimed: “Messi is a savage for this.”
Inter Miami fans will be hoping for more of the same against LA Galaxy in their next match this weekend.
Messi is now into his first full season with the MLS side after signing from Paris Saint-Germain in July.
The 36-year-old went on to win the Leagues Cup with his new club last year.
Following Wednesday’s victory, he has now scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami.
Messi dinked the ball over an injured opponent before shooting[/caption]