Lionel Messi: MLS Star Chipped While Injured in Inter Miami Game Speaks Out

• The player embarrassed by Lionel Messi in the MLS opener has spoken out
• Messi flicked the ball past the injured player, drawing wild reactions from fans
• Inter Miami beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 to begin their season with maximum points

Lionel Messi has proven himself to be a man of many talents any time he steps on the pitch. From scoring ridiculous free-kicks to dragging defenders with him to threading neat passes, the Argentine has shown over time that the eight Ballon d'Ors to his name are no fluke.

He took it a notch higher when the 2024 Major League Soccer season kicked off when he flicked the ball over an injured player.

His side, Inter Miami, welcomed Real Salt Lake at the DRV PNK arena for the first game of the season. After an underwhelming preseason, Messi looked to right the wrongs and put on a man-of-the-match display.

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He wasn't among the goals in the 2-0 win but assisted Robert Taylor's opening goal. His highlight of the game was when he chipped the ball past an injured Real Salt Lake player just outside the penalty area.

Messi flicks ball over injured player

The 36-year-old was in full motion. He was under no obligation to kick the ball out so that the player could get treatment. Seeing no other way to get past him, the World Cup winner beautifully flicked the ball over him before unleashing a shot that was blocked.

The player in question, Andrew Brody, has now broken his silence after Messi's piece of skill thrust him into worldwide limelight.

"For those asking, yes, I was the cone on the ground there," he said on his Instagram stories.

MLS side uses bizarre way to stop Messi's free-kick

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Sports Brief has also reported that Real Salt Lake came up with an unconventional method to prevent Messi from scoring a free-kick.

The MLS side positioned one player at each goalpost with a wall in front of the goalkeeper. Messi still got his shot on target, but his effort was cleared by one of the players manning the posts.