In his first start for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi displayed a fresh celebration in front of David Beckham.
On his debut for the Herons against Cruz Azul on Friday night, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner curled in an incredible 94th-minute free-kick winner.
He made his debut for Inter in their most recent Leagues Cup match, this time against MLS opponents Atlanta United at the DRV PNK Stadium.
And Messi’s perfect start across the pond continued as he scored twice and set up one of Robert Taylor’s two goals in a 4-0 victory.
Messi scored both goals with his weaker right foot in the opening 22 minutes while captaining Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s team.
In the 53rd minute, he set up Taylor’s second goal and Inter’s fourth with an inch-perfect pass for the Finland international to grasp onto.
The 36-year-old received a standing ovation in the 78th minute after delivering a full and utter masterpiece.
Following one of his scores, Messi demonstrated a brand-new celebration that we hadn’t seen from him before.
He normally points to the sky after scoring, although he occasionally breaks out a new gesture, such as his banging head celebration against Spurs or the ear-cupping motion targeted at Louis van Gaal, which took 20 years to perfect.
This time, Messi extended his hand as if catching or holding an invisible thing. Some thought it meant “hold my bҽҽr,” while others linked it to Darth Vader from Star Wars and Marvel superhero Thor.
Messi’s face looked solemn at first but swiftly changed to a broad grin. Many said the celebration, which has since become a bit of a meme, was directed at his family in the stands, which included sons Thiago, Ciro, and Mateo, wife Antonella Roccuzzo, and mother Celia.
An alternate angle, though, shows England icon Beckham, who worked relentlessly to complete the mega-deal, beaming back as Messi celebrates.
Messi and Inter will play in the League Cup round of 32 against Orlando City, Houston Dynamo, or Santos Laguna.