Messi scores free-kick winner in final seconds of Inter Miami debut

Some people paid hundreds of dollars to be able to say they were in the stadium for Lionel Messi's debut for Inter Miami. Some paid thousands for their seats. The team's owners committed well over $100 million US just to have a chance at moments like this.

So far, it looks like money well spent.

From the you-can't-make-this-up department, Messi capped the opening night with his new club by delivering the unforgettable. His magical left foot sent a free kick into the upper left corner of the net in the 94th minute Friday night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul in a Legends Cup match.

"What I saw was the goal," Messi said in an on-field interview amid the post-game celebration. "I saw the goal. I knew that I had to score."

He makes it sound so easy. Made it look so easy, too.

The game's greatest active player — a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and a World Cup champion — sent the ball over a wall of four Cruz Azul defenders for the winning goal, unquestionably the greatest moment in Inter Miami's brief history. Fireworks shot into the night sky, and play resumed for roughly a minute before the referee's whistle blew.

LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. <a href="https://t.co/2mBDI41mLy">pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy</a>

Messi was a showman throughout. He waved at fans while he was seated on the bench. Waved at them while he was warming up. Waved at them while he was actually in the game.

And if that wasn't enough, he saved his best moment for the end. He watched the ball sail into the net, something he's done about 800 times before for club and country, then sprinted to the right corner of the field and leaped into the arms of teammates.

The team's owners — David Beckham, Jorge Mas and Jose Mas — were