A real painting of Lionel Messi guaranteed Inter Miami’s victory this Saturday, the 13th, over Sporting Kansas City. The Florida team was drawing 1-1 at the start of the second half when the Argentine star scored a great goal from very long range in front of almost 73 thousand fans at the opponent’s home. In the stands, none other than Patrick Mahomes, one of the biggest names in the NFL today. The game ended 3-2 for Miami.

Messi made his first appearance in the starting lineup since March 2 due to a thigh injury. Proof that the injury is over was the striker’s shot from more than 20 meters away. Goalkeeper Tim Melia stretched as much as he could, but there was no way to avoid the paint, and it was only up to him to be in the photo. Check out Messi’s great goal below:

The home team, which filled Arrowhead Stadium, had the illustrious presence of Patrick Mahomes, a talented 28-year-old quarterback who has already won three Super Bowl titles in his career. He is a minority partner in Sporting Kansas City. The number of fans present at the stadium, a total of 72,610, is the record in the club’s 28-year history and any other football match in the state of Missouri, in addition to being the 4th largest audience in MLS history. SKC usually hosts its games at Children’s Mercy Park, with a capacity of approximately 18,500 fans.

Fútbol’s finest 🤝 football’s finest.

Leo Messi links up with Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium. pic.twitter.com/jn7gLERIDl

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 14, 2024

Messi and Mahomes met in the locker room before the ball rolled. Watch the meeting between the stars:

The victory was important for Inter Miami, which avoided reaching the bitter mark of 6 matches without a win in MLS. The achievement came thanks to a goal from Luis Suárez, 26 minutes into the second half. Tata Martino’s team bounced back after a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Mexico’s Monterrey in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions League. Messi played the full half in Miami’s defeat to their Mexican rivals on Wednesday, the full 90 minutes of a match for the first time since March 7.