Messi’s every move shown on TikTok in winning Inter Miami playoff debut

Jordi Alba led Inter Miami to a playoff victory over Atlanta in their opener, showcasing the incredible atmosphere surrounding Lionel Messi’s first MLS playoff match. The spotlight was firmly on Messi throughout the game, with a “Messi-cam” monitoring his every move during the exciting 2-1 win on Friday night. This unique livestream experience aired on MLS’ TikTok account, highlighting the buzz that has enveloped Inter Miami since Messi joined the team midway through the 2023 season.

The stadium was filled to capacity with fans eager to witness the magic of Messi, including notable personalities like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., former NFL player Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, and actor Idris Elba.

Johnson expressed his enthusiasm about the “Messi effect”, stating in a televised interview, “It’s been awesome on a global level. Having Messi here in the States is helping us grow the game and make it more popular, especially since we have so many other sports competing for attention. Personally, I’m thrilled I don’t have to travel to Spain anymore to watch him play.”

While Messi didn’t find the back of the net, he played a crucial role by assisting Jordi Alba’s goal in the 60th minute. The Atlanta goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, was particularly impressive, making five saves against Messi, who was clearly looking to add to his tally after finishing the regular season with a hat trick.

Inter Miami came into the playoffs as the top seed, having set MLS records for points (74) and winning percentage (.765). Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injuries and international duty with Argentina, Messi finished with 20 goals and 16 assists, placing him in the running for league MVP. He made history alongside Luis Suarez, as the first pair of MLS teammates to each score 20 goals in a single season.

The excitement was palpable from the very start of the match, as Messi celebrated Suarez’s opening goal just two minutes in. Fans erupted, especially when he made dazzling runs and powerful shots, consistently drawing cheers and gasps from those closest to the action, with many capturing the moments on their phones.

As they prepare for Game 2 in Atlanta on November 2, Inter Miami is just one win away from clinching the best-of-three series.