A pregame ceremony came to an end as fireworks lit up the sky, and Lionel Messi held the Ballon d’Or over his head. And with that, Inter Miami will once again be able to honor the best player in the history of the game in 2023.

In a friendly match versus New York City FC on Friday night, Messi represented his Major League Soccer team. The game was organized to celebrate his seventh Ballon d’Or victory, which is given to the best player in the league each year, at a black-tie event in Paris last month. That accolade has never been won by another player more than five times.

Messi crossed the field to midfield on a gold carpet, holding the trophy in his left hand. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was among those waiting for Messi to arrive for a little pregame ceremony. As the stadium erupted, he gave Garber and Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas an embrace before raising the trophy.

“To me, it is something beautiful to share with you,” stated Messi. “I’ve only been here a little while but it really feels like I’ve been here a long time.”

Here’s how significant the occasion was: Garber even took out his smartphone to capture the moment.

“ou, Inter Miami fans, have the best player who’s ever played the game,” Garber stated. “e winner of his eighth Ballon D’Or, the guy who lifted as captain the Leagues Cup for your team, thank you Leo for your belief in Major League Soccer and making your club and your league a league of choice.”

The match was essentially meaningless: NYCFC won 2-1, and Messi had a chance to level the score in stoppage time with a 25-yard free kick, but it went high, and the referee signaled the end of play a short while later.

It was the ideal way to cap off Messi’s first four months of official club membership: Year 1 began with an on-field celebration and concluded with a celebration that hinted at Year 2.

Coach of Greater Miami Gerardo “Tata” Martino remarked, “He’s the main star of this match and we want to join him in celebrating his eighth Ballon D’Or.” It’s a chance for us to compete as well. Even if it’s just a friendly, it’s still a chance for the public to see Leo and his teammates play and bid the year farewell.”

At least on home ground, it was an added opportunity for a Dieu. More than three weeks ago, Inter Miami finalized their home schedule. Messi was not in action on that particular night since he had just returned from two World Cup qualifiers with Argentina.

Earlier this month, Inter Miami was scheduled to play two games in China; however, due to what the team described as “unforeseen circumstances,” that trip was canceled. After that plan fell through, Inter Miami decided to try something different and convinced NYCFC to play an exhibition match between sides who weren’t in the running for the MLS playoffs. Messi arrived at the team facilities the morning after winning the Ballon d’Or in Paris and spent the majority of the last two weeks exercising with the team.

“I want to thank all the people of Miami, not only the ones here at the stadium but in the city in general, for the way you have treated not only me but my family these last few months,” said Messi. “You’ve shown me a lot of love and made me feel at home.”