Watch Inter Miami Fans Go Wild As Lionel Messi Takes Captain's Armband On Debut

Lionel Messi finally took to the field as an Inter Miami player on Friday. Miami fans went wild as Messi was given the captain's armband on his Inter debut.

Lionel Messi finally took to the field as an Inter Miami player on Friday night.

The 36-year-old featured as a substitute in Inter's Leagues Cup clash with Mexican side Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium.

Messi entered the action in the 54th minute with Miami leading 1-0.

Fans had earlier been treated to a fine goal by Robert Taylor late in the first half.

But the cheers that greeted Messi's introduction were even louder than the ones that had celebrated Taylor's superb strike.

The moment we’ve been waiting for.

Welcome to the show, Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/3NYCnVOpx9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023

Messi was immediately handed the captain's armband upon his arrival to the field.

He was joined on the pitch by former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, who also came off the bench nine minutes into the second half.

Miami conceded an equalizer 11 minutes later when Uriel Antuna hammered home a powerful shot under keeper Drake Callender.

But this was Messi's night and he had the last word by scoring direct from a stunning free-kick in the 94th minute.

Miami's 2-1 victory ended a run of 11 games without a win.

SEE MORE: Watch Lionel Messi Score Stunning Free-Kick Goal On Inter Miami Debut

Lionel Messi pictured wearing the captain's armband on his Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul / Apple TV