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Lionel Messi makes his Inter Miami debut while Kim Kardashian watches LeBron James and Serena Williams.
CNN
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Whenever LeBron James and Serena Williams enter a sports arena, tens of thousands of fans chant their names.
But in a complete role reversal, James and Williams became fans to witness Sports greatness On Friday.
as Lionel Messi Making his debut for his new team Inter Miami, basketball and tennis icons were on hand to witness the event, along with Inter Miami co-owner Kim Kardashian. David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham at a sold-out DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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David Beckham, Victoria Beckham and daughter Harper Beckham watch Messi play his first Inter Miami game.
“I’m excited to be here with Victoria and David and everyone, it’s going to be a really fun game,” Kardashian told broadcaster Apple TV before the match began.
Spotted with her “soccer-obsessed” son Saint, Kardashian was asked who her son’s favorite player was, and the answer was no surprise. “Absolutely Messi. He’s so excited to see Messi,” Kardashian replied.
Before the game, James embraced Messi at the crossroads of two players considered by many to be the greatest of all time (GOAT) in their respective sports.
“Welcome bro!!! Always good to see and be in the presence of greatness!!! #comingToAmerica,” James wrote on his photo Instagram He embraced Argentina.
In the 54th minute, Messi was replaced by fellow former FC Barcelona star, Sergio Busquets. With the game poised at 1-1, like something out of a movie script, Messi stepped up to take a freekick in the 94th minute.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner made a debut to remember, curling the ball beautifully into the top corner past the Cruz Azul goalkeeper.
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Williams with Kardashian during the match.
Beckham appeared close to tears following the winner, while Williams was videotaped looking emotional and excited as he smashed the 36-year-old’s free-kick into the net.
“As soon as I saw the free kick awarded, I thought, ‘This is the way to win,’ especially when players like Leo and Sergio (Busquets) are on the pitch,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said on the Apple TV broadcast after the game.
“It’s a very special night for us, for our family, for everyone in this stadium, for you. It’s such a moment for this country, it’s such a moment for this league, it’s such a proud moment for us.
Footage of the free-kick shared on social media led to glowing reviews from several American sports stars, led by James.
“Unbelievable!!!!” Tweeted James added a goat emoji in response to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. Tweeted: “The Catan!”