Andy Murray and Lionel Messi Share Moment at Miami Open
Tennis icon Andy Murray recently connected with football superstar Lionel Messi at the Miami Open, sharing the encounter on Instagram. The former world number one and the Inter Miami CF star posed for a photo during the prestigious tennis tournament held in Miami.
Messi, who was in Miami to watch Novak Djokovic’s semi-final victory against Grigor Dimitrov, took the time to meet Murray. The British tennis star captioned their photo with a humorous take on a classic football debate:
“I asked him if he could do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke. He responded “cállate la boca” which i think means yes in spanish.”
Murray’s caption playfully references the well-worn football expression, “Can they do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke?”. This phrase alludes to the physical and often challenging playing conditions associated with away games against Stoke City, a former Premier League team known for their tough, uncompromising style at their home ground, Britannia Stadium.
The quip is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the ongoing debate about whether Lionel Messi, who has spent his career in Spain and France before moving to the US, could replicate his outstanding performances in the physically demanding English Premier League.
Here are some key points about Messi’s career and recent form:
- Barcelona Legend: Messi spent 17 trophy-laden years at FC Barcelona, becoming their all-time top scorer and winning numerous Ballon d’Or awards.
- PSG Stint: In 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for two seasons, adding to his silverware collection.
- MLS Move: At 37 years old, Messi joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023.
- Impact in Miami: Messi’s arrival in Miami has been impactful, leading the team to victory in the Leagues Cup and Supporters Shield.
- Impressive Stats: He has recorded an impressive 39 goals and 20 assists in just 45 appearances for Inter Miami.
- Recent Goalscoring Return: Messi recently marked his return from injury with a goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union. He came off the bench to score shortly after entering the game.
- Injury Break: Prior to his recent return, Messi had been sidelined with an adductor muscle injury, causing him to miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier matches.
- Season 2024 Form: Despite the injury, Messi has started the 2024 season strongly with seven goal contributions (five goals and two assists) in six appearances across all competitions.
Messi’s Winning Goal After Injury Return
Lionel Messi’s goal against Philadelphia Union wasn’t just any goal; it marked his return to action after recovering from an adductor injury. Coming on as a substitute, he quickly made his presence felt, extending Inter Miami’s lead and securing the victory. This performance highlights his continued influence and importance to the Inter Miami squad.
What do you think? Could Lionel Messi have dominated on a cold rainy night in Stoke? Share your thoughts in the comments below!